DPWH roadworks cause gridlocks, spark outrage

SANTA FE, Nueva Vizcaya—Stranded travelers expressed outrage over gridlocks caused by ongoing repairs on the national road here and worsened by the heavy flow of vehicles heading back from the Lenten break.

Motorists were stuck in traffic for as long as 10 hours here since Sunday night as the buildup of vehicles blocked stretches of single-lane roads triggered by minor accidents and mechanical troubles at or near sites of road reblocking projects.

They also reported 10 to 30-minute delays at roadwork sites in Diadi, Bayombong, Bambang and Aritao towns, where Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) crews are doing road-widening and repairs.

“Spending 11 hours [traveling] from my hometown Naguilian [in Isabela] to Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya is a nightmare. This is the first time in my entire life to experience this unimaginable traffic situation,” said Laguna-based engineer Roquito Bueno.

Workers and students, who were rushing to go back from the five-day Holy Week break, said they failed to go to their workplace and school because of the delay. Others missed their Monday morning appointments.

“What is more revolting is how all year round, these road repairs pose dangers to Cagayan Valley travelers. God forbid that no lives will be lost, or people will be hurt from crashes caused by these roadworks,” said bus driver Florencio Romero, 52.

Travelers blamed the ongoing election season for the repairs along the national roads.

Describing her experience as an “overnight torture,” government employee Acel Afalla wondered how the DPWH managed to skirt the ban on government projects during election period. Under the Omnibus Election Code, among the prohibited acts during the election period, which ran from March 25 to May 8, include “construction of public works.”

Sunday night’s gridlock was the latest of a series of blockades that had pestered motorists over the past few days. Traffic flow became heavier during the Lenten break and one-lane roads at DPWH repair sites became bottlenecks.

According to Nerie Bueno, DPWH regional director, traffic congestion has been mainly due to the unusual number of vehicles that are alternately allowed to pass from either side of road construction sites.

She said the DPWH was doing the numerous road repairs at the same time to meet its accomplishment target.

“We are fast-tracking all our projects to meet the target government spending and eventually shorten the inconvenience. Development is a process. Doing it little by little will prolong the agony,” she said in a text message.

Eighty-three DPWH projects in Cagayan Valley, out of the 107 scheduled for 2016, have already been issued “notices to proceed” even before the election period.

Bueno blamed the road mess on drivers who refused to cooperate with people manning the traffic flow at project sites.

“All of us will have to cooperate, especially the motorists …. After all we are doing these for the public,” she said.