DPWH sets 2-week deadline to fix flood-damaged roads in NCR

The Department of Public Works and Highways is giving itself two weeks to fix the roads in Metro Manila damaged by last week's heavy rain and floods.

 

But this early, DPWH Metro Manila director Rey Tagudando voiced worry the rain from tropical depression "Helen" may ruin the repair works.

 

"Mula Friday nung umaraw, nag-start tayo mag-undertake ng road repair sa Metro Manila. Sana kung tuloy ang araw matatapos namin ang road repair within two weeks. Tuloy-tuloy ang pagtrabaho namin sa road repair," he said in an interview on dzBB radio early Monday.

 

Several roads in Metro Manila were damaged last week in the wake of the floods that swamped several parts of Luzon and even Western Visayas.

 

Potholes marred several major thoroughfares in the metropolis, posing a danger to motorists and commuters.

 

But Tagudando admitted they were worried about the coming rain from tropical depression "Helen," saying fresh asphalt being used in the road repair cannot get wet.

 

"Sana umaraw ngayon. Ang (takot) namin sa weather forecast baka umulan. Kung umaraw tuloy ang pag-undertake ng repair," he said.

 

Tagudando said they have started using asphalt for the road repair, focusing on main and secondary national roads.

 

Among their priorities are Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Roxas Boulevard, and Quezon Avenue.

 

He said the repair of city roads will be up to the local government units.

 

Tagudando also said the DPWH will act on reports of damaged roads within 24 hours of receiving the information.

 

"Meron kaming response time na sinasabi. Aayusin namin kaagad," he said. –KG, GMA News