DPWH to fix footbridge that turns into a waterfall when it rains

The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) promised to fix a footbridge at the Aurora Boulevard and Blumentritt Road intersection that seemingly turns into a waterfall each time it rains.

In Cedric Castillo’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” a substantial flow of water was seen cascading down the footbridge's stairs during a recent downpour.

“Lagi po ‘yan kapag malakas ang ulan. Akala mo man-made waterfall,” a resident said.

“Minsan ang mga bata nandiyan. Ginawa nilang kunwari nasa waterfalls sila,” another resident added.

(It’s always like that during severe rains. You may think of it as a man-made waterfall. Sometimes kids play on the footbridge. They pretend they are at a waterfall.)

The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR), which built the footbridge, said it was standard to have some sort of drainage on a footbridge to prevent this waterfall effect.

“There should be drainage to take care of that. Never on the stairs dapat ‘yung daloy ng tubig. Papatiyak po namin kung mayroon drainage, or kung mayroon ba, barado ba?” DPWH-NCR Director Nomer Canlas said.

(There should be drainage to take care of that. The flow of water should never be on the stairs. We will make sure there is drainage, or if there is one, is it blocked?)

Canlas added that a footbridge waterfall was dangerous.

“Safety is paramount. Could you just imagine na may cascade ng tubig doon, at may taong papanhik? If there are any findings, we will make it right this time,” he said.

(Safety is paramount. Could you just imagine a cascade of water there while pedestrians try to use the stairs? If there are findings, we will make it right this time.)

Moreover, Canlas said that they would resolve the issue immediately. — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News