PRA takes action on Macapagal potholes

MANILA, Philippines - Motorists who have suffered daily gridlocks may be unaware of it, but repairs have started on the large potholes that have caused massive traffic jams for several weeks now along the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque and surrounding areas.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said yesterday the repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The boulevard is under the Philippine Reclamation Authority, formerly the Public Estates Authority. The PRA is a government corporation under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

But people think the PRA is under the DPWH and have criticized the department for the potholes.

Singson had reportedly offered to repair the damaged section of Macapagal Boulevard, but was told that the PRA already had an existing contract for the rehabilitation.

He said he was told that the repair work “is about 80 percent (done) and should be fully completed by the end of September.”

The PRA’s general manager and CEO is Peter Anthony Abaya, brother of Transport and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Aside from private vehicles, Macapagal Boulevard is also used by passenger buses and heavy trucks.

The state of Macapagal Boulevard has earned the ire of motorists and commuters. Photos of the dilapidated road have been posted on the Internet after heavy rains aggravated the potholes on the road.

The potholes force vehicles to slow down, further aggravating traffic.

A PRA official said yesterday that they plan to temporarily prohibit heavy vehicles from using Macapagal Boulevard to fast-track the road repair.

Roger Ignacio, a PRA engineer, said ten-wheeler and eight-wheeler trucks should use Roxas Boulevard to speed up the repair of the highway.

The measure is being coordinated with the DPWH and Metro Manila Development Authority.

Ignacio said they expect to complete the repairs in less than a week once trucks and other heavy vehicles are diverted to Roxas Boulevard.

The road repair reportedly started last June but was stopped after the PRA engaged in some form of consultation regarding the project. Repair work resumed last August. – With Rhodina Villanueva