Senate probe pushed after potholes spotted on newly rehabbed Edsa 

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has pushed for a Senate investigation into the ongoing rehabilitation of Edsa after new potholes emerged in parts of the major thoroughfare following days of intermittent rains caused by the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones.

Lacson filed on Wednesday Senate Resolution No. 594 directing the committee on public works to look into the rehabilitation, repair and preservation of national roads, particularly the ongoing work being done on Edsa by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with the aim of reviewing design and engineering standards.

“For nearly a week, persistent southwest monsoon rains have drenched parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila; damaging several main thoroughfares, including recently rehabilitated sections of Edsa,” Lacson said in his resolution.

READ: Dizon curses over potholes at newly rehabilitated Edsa in Makati

More repairs

According to him, the appearance of new potholes means the newly repaired road will require another round of maintenance works.

Lacson noted that the rapid deterioration of newly repaired roads “exposes deep-seated flaws” in the planning, design, construction and management of high-cost public infrastructure projects.

The DPWH completed the first phase of the Edsa rehabilitation from Roxas Boulevard to Orense Street in Makati in April, while the second phase from Orense Street to Monumento was awarded in May.

READ: DPWH completes Phase 1 of Edsa rehab

READ: Dizon curses over potholes at newly rehabilitated Edsa

In the measure, Lacson also quoted Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon as saying, “We should be able to anticipate this, it’s clogged!” during an inspection of the project.

The senator said Dizon’s remark reflected public anger after the government promised a complete rehabilitation of Edsa using modern technologies to prevent a repeat of the 2012 scenario in which major thoroughfares suffered severe damage following days of heavy rains.

Inefficient drainage

Lacson added that even then, former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson had already identified inefficient drainage as a factor that could lead to asphalt deterioration in case of rains and floods.

The senator pointed to Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act, which provides for detailed engineering requirements for infrastructure projects and a one-year defects liability period, during which contractors must repair qualifying damage at their own expense.