Manila mayor to DPWH: Finish Lagusnilad repair by November 15

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to finish its part in repairing the Lagusnilad underpass by Nov. 15.

The city government finished in September its part in fixing the underpass, which has been off-limits to motorists since May, according to Lacuna-Pangan’s spokesperson Princess Abante.

“The mayor has given (the DPWH) the final deadline to finish all work by Nov. 15,” Abante said.

She added that the city government spent P25 million for the rehabilitation of Lagusnilad, while the DPWH shelled out P50 million.

The city government earlier pointed out Lagusnilad is a national road and should be maintained by the national government.

The DPWH said concreting is almost complete, but personnel involved in the repair work said they have yet to finish the catchbasin.

Lagusnilad, built in the 1960s, was riddled with potholes and leaked water. This had caused accidents, particularly for motorcycle riders.

While Lagusnilad is closed to traffic, motorists going to Taft Avenue use Padre Burgos Avenue and Roxas Boulevard to proceed to Taft Avenue.

The rainy season could have stalled the reopening of the underpass, which the city government had targeted to reopen in September or October.