SINCE my wife and I decided to get the service of a second-hand sedan, I began to see the value of roads and be critical of their conditions. Even and flat roads give drivers surreal feeling when travelling plus the consolation of a smooth ride to the passengers. I believe the condition of the road is one huge factor of a wonderful travel experience and a necessity for nation-building.
Our first family getaway using the second car sedan was at Subic, Zambales. We pass through Tarlac-Pangasisnan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and the first-class condition of the highway provided me a worry-free long travel experience. The downside was that I had to pay toll fees. It was just sad to realize that we need to pay a certain amount for motorists to utilize car-friendly thoroughfares. I understand the project was a public-private partnership and we have to pay the private companies their due. Without the private funding, the project would not push through. But the government, sans the initiative of private business, should know the importance of having first class roads. We should have these kinds of roads decades ago.
Condition of roads speak of the progress of one’s place. That is why we have a department that takes care of our highways and transportations. There are also regional offices so that problems on roads in all areas are immediately addressed. It is sad that many of our regional offices do not take their mandate by heart. We have a lot of roads especially in far-flung areas which are not passable.
People without the help from the government, local or national, have to fix their own roads. As a result we have super narrow and uneven pathways where motor vehicles cannot pass. Travelers have to walk after reaching a point because the roads are not developed. Goods are carried manually or through animal-drawn carriages because trucks cannot reach the area due to pathetic road conditions. Drivers have to wait for an incoming vehicle to pass through because the road was to narrow, they cannot cross at the same time. I have several travel experience wherein drivers have to honk to give warning for incoming vehicles to prevent collisions.
We went to Tabuk City years ago for a research seminar talk and the first thing I noticed was the road condition. This is now a city though the number of establishments and its activity may cast doubt of its cityhood. But the main roads, my boy, it is wide and even. I think this city is so much ready for infrastructure projects. It is a far cry to the pathway condition in our residence where two people having their umbrellas on do not fit the alley. Motor vehicles are not allowed to drive in because the alley was to slim.
I was not sure what the local government was thinking when issuing house construction permits. I think the entire land was private-owned but the building of houses must have been regulated to allot a wider passage for people. Considering that there are hundreds of families in the area the local government should have designed a plan for the constructions. This is in Sitio Mamaga, La Trinidad. Now it is impossible to improve its condition because houses have been built all around.
Factors that affect longevity of roads are weather, usage, and the competency of the people running the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Oftentimes we see workers scraping parts of roads because they are now worn out. I wonder what kind of materials they used in fixing those roads. Can the government through DPWH ensure our roads to last for a long time regardless of the weather condition and their usage? It has been raining for the past couple of weeks and many parts of roads in the city and nearby towns are damaged.
I feel like I am in a boat every time I pass along Camdas Road because of the potholes on the street. The same can be said on Magsasay Road intersecting Bonifacio Road, fronting Centermall. In La Trinidad, motorists have to slow down as they travel along Kilometer 3 because of too many holes on the highway. We may blame the constant pouring of rain here but I think there is always a way to make these road better that can stand the test of the weather. In fairness to DPWH, they covered these depressions in the roads when the rain stopped. Yet DPWH should understand that the same problem will take place all the time unless they improve the quality of cementing them.
As motorists, we just want a safe and a little enjoyable travel when we go to our work. The road condition has a lot to contribute to these simple demands. The gardeners I am sure would like to have the same kind of quality roads. The business industry also like the same. The commuters, not to mention the thousands of students, may want it more. So please, to whom it may concern, fix our roads.