Vertical clearance markers along megadike ‘missing’ (Sun.Star, Monday, September 24, 2007)

Vertical clearance markers along megadike ‘missing’

By Ian Ocampo Flora

BACOLOR -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is complaining about the “disappearance” of vertical clearance markers along the span of the Bacolor-Porac Mega Dike road here.

According to Isabelita Manalo of the DPWH Mt. Pinatubo Project Emergency Management Office (MPE-PMO), the vertical clearance markers made of concrete were installed along the road to prevent quarry trucks from using the access road for safety considerations.

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“We have placed those markers but some of them are gone. These are not ordinary structures because they cost at least P155,000,” Manalo said.

They have received reports that some loaders remove the vertical clearances so that quarry trucks ferrying sand from sites along Porac could use the access road.

“This road was designed for commuters who want easy access to Angeles City if they come from San Fernando. But what is happening is quarry loaders just remove the vertical clearances without permission,” Manalo said.

As per survey, it was confirmed that quarry trucks actually use the access road and pose a serious threat to other motorists in the area, since the road design is not in line to accommodate heavy payload vehicles aside from the fact that the road lacks sufficient lighting at night.

Quarry trucks prefer using the access road because it is nearer to San Fernando and provides an easy escape form the perennial traffic along Porac-Angeles Road, especially in Barangays Santa Cruz and Manibaug of Porac town.

The access road was an offshoot of the Pinatubo Hazard Mitigation Project (PHUMP) a multi-million rehabilitation fund aimed at developing areas devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

“We are asking other agencies to look into this matter and help us monitor this road so that it will not go to waste,” Manalo said.

When confronted with the issue, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio said he would have the matter looked into by his staff. Present rules and guidelines on the conduct of quarry operations do not provide any definite procedures on the conduct and use of quarry access routes in the areas of Bacolor and Porac.

Panlilio is convinced that the present quarry system is “not perfect” and that all aspects of the quarry operation should be evaluated.

As of press time, there has been no action taken as regards the missing concrete vertical clearance markers.