DAVAO CITY – Councilor Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo on Tuesday called out the attention of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to exercise caution and observe safety measures in their construction works and repairs.
“These agencies, the DPWH and the DCWD seem to have taken for granted the reality that road construction zones present a danger not only to the workers, but also to motorists and pedestrians who use these roads,” Zozobrado said.
She said that the road widening projects in the main highways are causing traffic congestion and road accidents.
“The same issue for the diggings left unfinished by DCWD all over the city,” she added.
The councilor said, “I am sure that the DCWD has a budget for the repair of the paved roads which they dig in the process of repairing busted pipes.”
She also said that the agency should place reflective warning signals that can be seen a few meters away “instead of leaving the road in a mess.”
“Better still, it would be (a) good practice to put the roads back in its original condition prior to the repair,” Zozobrado said.
“DPWH on the other hand can make use of reflective traffic cones or flags to mark areas where road construction is being done,” she added.
She said that these warning signals will provide enough forewarning to the motorists and to avoid road incidents in the city.
Zozobrado also said that “some of these road constructions have less than acceptable housekeeping practices.”
“Some of the dirt or the soils from the diggings are just left by the roadside,” she said.
“These soils or dirt, especially during the rainy seasons, sometimes end up in our canals and just worsens the drainage problem in some areas of the city,” she added.
Zozobrado called the attention of the concern agencies to be more proactive in using the proper signages to make their work more efficient.
She also said that these agencies should advice their contractors to clean up their construction works properly and provide a safe road environment for the public.(davaotoday.com)
