An incensed Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday decided to take matters into his hands by ordering the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau headed by Manuel Zarcal to immediately clear the busy Del Pan Bridge in Tondo of cargo trailer-trucks parked right on top of it.
Atienza issued the order in extreme disappointment over the apparent failure of Police Superintendent Alexander Castulo, head of the Western Police District-Traffic Enforcement Office (WPD-TEO), to rid the bridge of the illegally-parked vehicles.
"I have called his attention to this illegal practice many times before. Apparently he is not up to the task or maybe he is preoccupied with other matters that he could not do his job effectively," Atienza said.
Aside from impeding the smooth flow of traffic and endangering motorists, Atienza expressed concern that the heavy vehicles could adversely affect the structural integrity of the bridge.
The four-lane bridge was designed to carry a maximum load of only 20 tons. The average weight of a standard 10-wheeler truck is five tons.
"Based on the reports we have received, an average of five to 10 of these vehicles are parked on the southbound lane. This clearly exceeds the maximum load allowed and could weaken or cause it to collapse," Atienza said.
Atienza also directed WPD director Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon Jr., to look into the matter and take the necessary action.
Atienza said his office has been receiving numerous complaints from motorists on the hazards posed by the illegally parked vehicles on top of the bridge. "Ang lalakas pa ng loob, sa ibabaw pa ng tulay pumaparada (The gall of these perpetrators, arrogantly parking right on top of the bridge). I find it hard to believe that the drivers of these trucks would dare park there and occupy two lanes unless with the consent of the traffic police. It is impossible that they do not see this monstrosity," Atienza charged.
The busy Del Pan Bridge can be seen from as far as the Aduana Circle in Manila Port Area and is about 500 meters from the WPD-TEO station also in the Port Area.
Earlier, Atienza had castigated Castulo for his failure to clear Radial Road 10 of illegally parked vehicles on the northern side of the bridge. Atienza said Castulo's predecessors succeeded in keeping the area clear of traffic obstructions.