LEGAZPI CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the total clearing of national roads from all kinds of obstructions that often cause accidents to motorists and pedestrians.
This developed as the DPWH has begun its road-widening project in the city. Public Works Assistant Regional Director Armando Estrella said the widening and concreting of roads is still limited to highways in which they have already cleared right-of-way issues.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson issued Department Order (DO) 73, series of 2014, directing regional directors and district engineers to implement the total clearing of national roads, saying roads with such impediments clearly expose motorists and pedestrians to dangers. Last year he also issued DO 21 that bans palay drying in national roads and related obstructions, citing Presidential Decree 17, otherwise known as the Philippine Highway Act, which carries both a penalty and imprisonment for violators.
The DPWH explained that a highway road lane has a measurement of 3.1 meters, or 6.2 meters for the two opposing lanes. As shown in provincial national roads, an added lane—which is known as a road shoulder—usually measures an average of 2 meters plus a 1-meter line canal. With the total concreting program, vehicles will now enjoy a four-lane roadway with a total width of 12.4 meters.
Manly M. Ugalde