DPWH clears way to schools

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson. INQUIRER file photo

Public works personnel have been directed to prioritize the clearing of “obstructions” on national roads that are near schools before classes open on June 4, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said Thursday.

Singson said he had ordered Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field officers and engineers to prioritize the clearing of these “obstructions” which include vulcanizing shops, car wash shops, ambulant vendors and shanties (or kubol used as sari-sari stores) that had been illegally constructed on the sides of national roads in the vicinity of schools, both public and private.

“We have to clear the sidewalks or roadsides to ensure the safety of students walking to and from school,” Singson said in a statement.

“The students have no option but to walk on the road pavement or road way which is very dangerous to them, especially in areas where there is a high volume of vehicles,” he said.

According to Singson, he had earlier asked DPWH officials for an inventory of obstructions erected within the road right-of-way of national roads, particularly permanent structures so that these could be removed in coordination with  local government units and law enforcement agencies.

“This is part of our continuing process of upgrading our road safety standards,” he said.

He has also directed the painting or repainting of pedestrian crossing lines, or “zebra lines,” on national roads in front of schools, especially in highly urbanized areas or town centers, and the putting up of adequate warning signs.

Road improvement or preventive maintenance activities along national roads should also be fast-tracked and completed before the opening of classes, Singson added.

The public works secretary earlier said the road right-of-way had to be recovered for the safety of pedestrians and the public.

He cited a study showing that pedestrians were the “victims or fatalities in more than half of the recorded road crashes along national roads.”