FIXING OUANO AVE. DPWH’S JOB: CITY
Potholes, cracks on asphalt pavement blamed for traffic in area; DPWH official says repair project still at bid evaluation stage
The Mandaue City Government has received several complaints from commuters about dilapidated parts of Ouano Ave.
While the road is within Mandaue City, the City Government could not easily act on the matter because this is a national road and the repair will be done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to Councilor Carmelino Del Mar Jr.
DPWH Sixth District Engineer Suzette Nwanaka informed the City Government through City Social Welfare and Services officer Jessie Perez that the rehabilitation may start next month.
For a long time, the asphalt pavement of the six lanes of Ouano Ave., particularly the corner of F. F. Cruz St., has had cracks and potholes.
Del Mar said the damaged road was the reason there’s traffic on Ouano Ave., as vehicles have to slow down when they pass the area.
“It is within the jurisdiction of DPWH. What the City can do is we might invite the DPWH to appear before the City Council or the mayor will request (DPWH) to repair it the soonest possible time,” he said.
Del Mar, chair of the committee on infrastructure, said he may sponsor a resolution inviting DPWH officials to attend one of the City Council sessions.
After receiving several complaints about the road’s condition, Del Mar talked with City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumb- ing about the matter three weeks ago.
DPWH has allocated P223.707 million for the rehabilitation of the 7.60-km. stretch of Ouano Ave.
Nwanaka informed Perez, the protocol officer of the city mayor, that the road rehabilitation project was already opened for bid- ding, but it was not awarded yet to a contractor.
“(It is) still on the bid evaluation stage,” Nwanaka said.
In the meantime, Del Mar advised motorists to be careful when driving on Ouano Ave.
“Magmatngon na lang gyud (We just have to drive with caution),” he said.
Aside from the commuters’ complaints about the road, del Mar said that establishment owners have also complained about the dust on the street.
“Ang pintal sa establishment puti unya karon na brown (Buildings that are originally painted white now look brown),” he said.
“Nagda og abog ana usually kanang trucks gikan garahe unya lapok unya ara magkalat (Trucks with muddy wheels coming from their garage caused the thick dust on the road),” del Mar said.
The Department of General Services was already tasked to hose Ouano Ave. with water to remove dust. /
While the road is within Mandaue City, the City Government could not easily act on the matter because this is a national road and the repair will be done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to Councilor Carmelino Del Mar Jr.