Our roads will continue to suffer from heavy traffic until both private and government agencies come together to develop a systematic and well-coordinated plan for road construction.
Year-round, government entities—from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to various local government units (LGUs)—alongside private companies in sectors like water and telecommunications, engage in what can only be described as “digging parties” across the country. In Metro Manila, this translates to horrific traffic, particularly during rush hours and the days leading up to holidays, when multiple road projects occur simultaneously.
These frequent diggings, a common sight in our metropolis, wreak havoc on major thoroughfares. What’s particularly frustrating is that these projects often take place during regular office hours, as if these companies operate like conventional offices, working from 8 AM to 5 PM. In many countries around the world, road repairs are conducted swiftly, with crews working around the clock until the job is done.
Here, however, it’s rare to see a construction project equipped with a full complement of machinery and personnel to expedite the work. Tasks that could be completed in a day frequently stretch into a week or more, primarily due to a lack of resources—often just one machine and a handful of workers tackling a major job.
Recent flooding in Metro Manila, exacerbated by various typhoons, has further damaged our roads, especially those with mere gravel toppings. The government’s response to these “wrecked” roads inevitably creates additional traffic, as repairs drag on for days rather than hours.
The cumulative effect of these ongoing road diggings represents a significant waste of time and money, not just for motorists but for the government as well. Drivers are left idling in traffic, burning precious fuel and losing productivity. Meanwhile, the government allocates manpower to manage the resulting chaos, an inefficiency that compounds the problem.
So, why not take a proactive approach? A coordinated effort to align the schedules and actions of both private and public agencies could lead to a more streamlined process for road repairs and construction. By establishing a comprehensive plan that all stakeholders, including motorists, can follow, we could significantly reduce the frequency of “carmaggedons,” especially as we approach the holiday season.
