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DPWH to spend P5B for safer roads


Expect a smoother car ride once the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) starts using the P5-billion Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC) to improve the safety standards of national roads and avoid accidents. “We need to upgrade the national roads. We have a budget from the MVUC or the Road Users Tax," says DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. “Of the P10 billion budget, half has already been spent during the first half of the year so we only have P5 billion. But if needed, we would augment (the funds). This is critical because this involves the safety of the public," he explained. Singson issued the directive after conducting an inspection in Cebu, where there had been four reported road accidents resulting in 40 deaths and 86 injuries in a span of three weeks. He says national roads in the province generally comply with the safety standards but he admitted that there is still room for improvement. He noted the need to install more safety road signages and other measures. “It appeared that they were originally provincial roads when they were turned into national roads. The road bends are worse than the zigzag roads going to Baguio," Singson said. Noting that it becomes foggy in the afternoons in Cebu, Singson said there is a need to widen the bends and install reflectors to alert drivers when they make a road turn. They also need to replace steel barriers with concrete barriers and install rumble strips to alert drivers and passengers when they happen to fall asleep during their travel. Recently 21 Iranians died when their bus plunged into a 50-foot ravine in Cansomoroy, Balamban. Initial investigation showed that the accidents were caused by human error and vehicle malfunction. –VVP, GMANews.TV

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