DPWH explains ‘holes’ on Lacson street

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – The Department of Public Works and Highways explained the “holes” in a portion of Lacson street that went viral on social media.

DPWH-Bacolod District Engineer Abraham Villareal told Daily Guardian that they are undertaking an asphalt overlay project on Lacson street.

Villareal said the holes are part of a construction methodology that helps them locate the utility holes.

The asphalt overlay cannot be done simultaneously with the segment of the street that has no manhole. Otherwise, the manhole will be covered if the location is not marked, he added.

Villareal said they placed angle bars on the top perimeter edge of the manhole to mark its limit.

GI pipe sleeves were also installed to serve as an extension of the manhole covers.

The pipe sleeves will be welded to the angle bars via crisscrossing round bars to make them stand in place while manual spreading and compaction of asphalt are done.

The pipe sleeves were placed so that the holes will drain the water in cases of floods.

He said there are 38 manholes along the one-kilometer road.

A project of the national government, Villareal said it started on Nov 25 and will be completed on Jan 25, 2021. It will cost P26 million.

“We are trying our best to give the public a better road riding comfort since if there is flooding, we get the blame, so we have to protect the manholes for future maintenance,” Villaruel said.