It was in August, 2011 when gargantuan machines came and started pulverizing several portions of the main thoroughfare from the municipality of Sison to Villasis for the long awaited repair of the national highway; and not long after, we started traversing on a smooth and much improved highway. However, as the first rain dropped to imply the start of the rainy season, potholes also immediately emerged particularly in Sison and this time they are more dangerous.
Citizens have gotten used to temporary remedies and shoddy workmanship on public structures and it has also become common to place blame on political leaders. It is easy ammunition for opposing parties to use such predicaments to discredit sitting officials, which, admittedly, are partly responsible or are unwitting participants in a system that condones practices that lead to inferior workmanship to profit a few.
It hasn’t been finished yet but it’s already deteriorating!
The deep craters that have developed after the first deluge of rain are open pits for untoward occurrences that if not repaired directly could lead not only damage to properties but also trigger a much more obnoxious incident. This prompted Mayor Mina Joy Pangasinan to send a letter addressed to the Acting District Engineer, Noel Diaz, of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Tumana, Rosales, Pangasinan invoking warranty for the road’s immediate repair, specifically those that are within her jurisdiction.
What seems to be a very smooth ride could turn catastrophic if the motorists are not watchful to the deep traps that lie ahead.
The destitute and perilous state of the highway still remains and worsens as of this writing. There have been several instances when workers from the DPWH were seen patching the potholes with asphalt but as soon as they left and after a heavy downpour, the craters appear again along with one or two new small dips.
Engr. Eugene Flores from the office of the DPWH in Tumana said that a communication letter has already been prepared for the road contractor. He also surmised that the final budget from the 500M fund has already been released to continue with the road rehabilitation project. It may be so but it still has to pass through a lot approvals from different government offices. There are also rules set for all infrastructure developments that should be abided by except in emergency circumstances. Most infrastructure projects are scheduled during dry months to avoid ruin that could be attributed by the rain and flashfloods. As per information from the contractor, the road rehabilitation for the rest of the national highway possibly will resume on the second quarter of 2013. However, this will not affect the repair because the expenses will be shouldered by the contractor.
| 
