THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday, July 10, that the construction of the drainage projects from Lacson to Mandalagan Bridge in Bacolod City is now 85 percent completed.
Bacolod District Engineer Abraham Villareal said the Supreme ABF Contractor promised that by the end of July, they will already be finished with the drainage construction, especially at Lacson Street.
He said the contractor's deadline is in October, but in order to address the traffic problem in the area, they are working double time to complete the project early.
The DPWH started the construction of drainage projects from Rizal Street going to Mandalagan Bridge in February.
The drainage project along Rizal Street going to Capitol Lagoon on Lacson Street costs P20 million while the one from Lacson Street towards Mandalagan Bridge is worth P35 million.
On Monday, a Honda CRV vehicle fell in an excavated portion at 19th Lacson Street.
Villareal said they determined that the excavation in the area was conducted by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company and not by the DPWH.
He said additional warning devices were already installed at DPWH's project to ensure the safety of the motorists.
"We ask the understanding of the public because this is our mandate to arrest the flood situation and this is for everybody. We are hopeful to finish this project as soon as possible," he added.
The City Council had earlier approved a resolution urging DPWH Bacolod to install the standard warning signage in road repair projects in various areas in the city.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, stated that the DPWH should install the standard warning signage in road repair projects, especially along Lacson Street, Barangays Alijis and Mansilingan, where there are deep excavations that pose a serious danger to vehicles and pedestrians.