Why does gov’t repair roads that are still in good condition?

By: Morexette Marie B. Erram - 5 months ago

Siloy is Watching: Why does the gov’t do excavate roads appear in good condition?

#SILOYISWATCHING: Roads in good condition are being excavated for re-asphalting, while roads with potholes in inner areas in the city remain unnoticed. This photo shows a stretch of Gorordo Avenue in Cebu City near the UP Lahug campus, which was actually in good condition but has been dug up for re-asphalting.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Motorists complained of the inconvenience of road maintenance works being conducted in one of the main thoroughfares here.

Photos of portions of Gorordo Avenue in uptown Cebu City being excavated for re-asphalting recently went viral on social media in. CDN Digital’s Siloy is Watching.

According to the netizen who shared some of the images with CDN Digital, they were surprised to stumble upon a road along Gorordo Avenue being dug up for re-asphalting despite being in good condition.

“While roads with potholes in inner areas in the city remain unnoticed,” the netizen said.

CDN Digital has reached out to the Cebu City Engineering Office for clarifications about their policy on road repairs but has yet to receive a response as of this writing.

But based on available records from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the re-asphalting is an ongoing preventive maintenance project.

The preventive maintenance project, which costs roughly P65.4 million, is part of DPWH’s Ensure Safe and Reliable National Road System Asset Preservation Program.

As of June 21, its progress was at 30.28 percent from completion.

DPWH projects flagged for multiple funding

Preventive maintenance

Netizens and motorists alike have been questioning why the government does road excavation works despite the roads still in good condition.

The one in uptown Cebu City was not an isolated case.

But based on earlier reports, DPWH explained that preventive maintenance is necessary to extend or prolong the service life of roads and pavements. Road repairs is another thing and more expensive.

This will also help the government to avoid costly maintenance in the future, and accidents arising from bad roads.

From afar, the roads may look like they are still under good condition but, according to state engineers, the presence of alligator cracks, minor ravelings and other defects meant that repairs and preventive maintenance are needed.

Among its responsibilities, DPWH is tasked on maintaining national roads and highways like Gorordo Avenue.

Jurisdiction of interior roads, on the other hand, fall on local governments or owners of private properties.

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