The Department of Public Works and Highways on Wednesday plans to upgrade and repair more national roads within Metro Manila using concrete instead of asphalt.
In an interview with Daily Tribune, DPWH-National Capital Region Maintenance Chief Engr. Reynaldo Rosario said that they are planning to concretize major roads to solve the long-standing problem of potholes in the city.
Potholes are seen more often in asphalted areas and, according to Rosario, can contribute to the poor quality of roads during rainy seasons.
"Ang permanent solution po dito na in-identify ng aming departamento is 'yung i-upgrade natin yung existing asphalt. Gagawin na natin itong kongkreto," Rosario said.
"Alam naman natin na 'yung aspalto, pag nababad sa tubig, nadadaanan ng malalaking sasakyan, nakaka-experience siya ng pagkabutas. Kung itong maliit na butas, nadadaanan ng heavily loaded vehicles na 'yan, lumalaki nang lumalaki," he explained.
Rosario said that using concrete could lessen maintenance repairs in major roads in the city, but it could cost more than using asphalt:
"Kung may sapat tayong pondo, we go for the concreting of our national roads instead of re-asphalting ulit," the chief engineer added.
In last month's interview with Daily Tribune's Gising Na!, Rosario also pointed out how the use of asphalt became a problem on the surface of the Lagusnilad Underpass near Manila City Hall, and said they planned to have talks with the local government of Manila to address the repairs.
A month later, Rosario said there hasn't been any developments yet, but their office is in coordination with the Manila City government:
"Wala pang magandang resulta dahil in the process pa rin tayo jointly with the LGU of Manila kung ano 'yung tamang pamamaraan para ma-address natin 'yung parating pagkasira ng pavement doon sa area," Rosario said.
The official also said they have completed pothole repairs targeted for this year.