Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Prompt repair of bridge at Circumferential road sought
ANGELES CITY -- The Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) on Monday called on officials of this city and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately repair the 15-meter long bridge in Villa Leoncia along Circumferential Road here.
ADCL chairman Renato Romero said the damaged bridge poses high risks to motorists and has been causing inconvenience to businesses using Circumferential Road, particularly those coming from the Clark Freeport Zone.
Romero said in the past years, the government has totally neglected the permanent rehabilitation of the bridge as well as the road. He said in September 2007, ADCL wrote a letter to Governor Eddie Panlilio asking the province’s chief executive to address the growing problem of overloading in Pampanga. This letter was followed by two more correspondences last January and March this year.
The ADCL said in the letters that quarry haulers have gravely contributed to the damage and deterioration of provincial roads because of the apparent violation of the Anti-Overloading Law.
Romero said ADCL asked the governor to establish weighing scales at the quarry sites to prevent overloading and share funding for the repair and maintenance of provincial and national roads.
"The private sector groups believe that for us to generate more investments in Pampanga, the local government must provide the best services, infrastructure and utilities needed for business. The condition of our roads will not only discourage incoming investors but it also threatens to jeopardize current businesses in the area. Businesses will shoulder added cost to their production and transportation because of costly vehicle maintenance, heavy traffic caused by poor road condition and high accident risks," Romero said.
The group also brought its concern to the Provincial Board. Last April 16, a committee hearing was conducted at the Capitol to address the problem on overloading.
During the hearing, the provincial engineer claimed that Circumferential Road, which is one of the most damaged roads used by quarry haulers, is not under their jurisdiction.
"They told ADCL that Circumferential Road was constructed by the Mt. Pinatubo Commission and the Angeles City Government. They claim that the road is under the responsibility of Angeles City," Romero said.
"This is why we wrote another letter to Mayor Francis Nepomuceno on Monday seeking his prompt action to conduct an assessment and impose proper measures to protect our infrastructures," Romero said.
In a letter to Nepomuceno dated May 12, Romero, signing on behalf of ADCL, said with the temporary closure of the Leoncia Bridge to heavy vehicles, quarry truckers now pass by Rizal and Sto. Rosario streets, two of the main roads of downtown Angeles.
"Therefore, we seek your intervention and action on this matter. We respectfully request that the city engineer conduct an immediate assessment of the Leoncia Bridge along Circumferential Road. We also urge your good office to open talks for possible measures on the strict implementation of the Anti-Overloading Law to protect our people from hazards as well as our infrastructures. We hope that you will look at this concern with utmost urgency. The people of Angeles and the businesses which use the bridge in their daily operation need your support," he further said in the letter.
