MANILA, Philippines — Motorists across Metro Manila may soon see road crews working at a faster pace as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) intensifies repairs on roads damaged by weeks of heavy rain and flooding.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency is accelerating repair and maintenance work on damaged portions of major roads in the National Capital Region, particularly areas affected by the recent southwest monsoon.
According to Bombo Radyo, repair activities are being carried out in parts of Quezon City, Malabon, Manila, Pasay, Taguig and Valenzuela.
The Philippine Star reported that DPWH maintenance crews have been conducting asphalt patching and other repair work, including portions of Roxas Boulevard and Pablo Ocampo Street in Manila.
MAJOR ROADS INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR PUSH
The accelerated repair program covers several heavily used roads and structures.
Among those identified by DPWH are E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Luzon Avenue Flyover, Mindanao Avenue, Quezon Avenue Bridge and the EDSA Santolan Flyover in Quezon City.
Repair work is also being undertaken along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Malabon; Taft Avenue and Plaza Cervantes in Manila; Macapagal Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard and Spine Road in Pasay; C5-Kalayaan Avenue in Taguig; and MacArthur Highway in Valenzuela.
The move comes as road deterioration has become a major concern for motorists following prolonged periods of rain and flooding.
EDSA BUSWAY DAMAGE PUTS DPWH UNDER SCRUTINY
The latest repair drive also comes amid renewed attention on the condition of the EDSA Busway in Makati, where potholes appeared after rehabilitation work had recently been completed.
Dizon said he is open to an investigation into the EDSA rehabilitation project, while noting that the recent damage was associated with flooding in Metro Manila.
The issue has added pressure on the DPWH to ensure that road rehabilitation projects are durable and capable of withstanding the increasingly difficult conditions brought by intense rainfall and flooding.
REPAIRS GO BEYOND POTHOLES
The road problems are not limited to ordinary potholes.
In a separate incident, the DPWH said damage at the EDSA Magallanes Flyover in Makati City was linked to stolen expansion-joint components. The agency said the missing parts affected the structure and resulted in falling debris.
Temporary steel plates and safety nets were installed while repair work was undertaken.
Meanwhile, the DPWH has also been looking at drainage infrastructure as part of the broader response to Metro Manila’s recurring flooding problems. Recent reports said Dizon ordered the redesign of inlets along major roads to improve drainage performance.
WHY THE REPAIRS MATTER
For millions of commuters and motorists, damaged pavement is more than a traffic inconvenience.
Large potholes, uneven road surfaces and damaged structures can slow traffic, increase vehicle damage and create additional hazards, particularly for motorcycles and other smaller vehicles.
The current DPWH push therefore comes at a critical time, with authorities facing the dual challenge of restoring damaged roads while addressing the drainage and flooding conditions that can cause the damage in the first place.
For motorists, however, one question remains:
Will the accelerated repairs hold once the next round of heavy rains arrives?
That will likely be the real test of whether the latest roadwork provides a lasting solution—or merely another temporary fix.
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