CCTO stops excavation at South Coastal Road

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based Pilipinas Water Resources, Inc.’s excavation work at the Cebu South Coastal Road was halted as the Cebu City Transportation Office confiscated the company’s equipment yesterday.

Aside from operating without CCTO’s consent, the company’s road work at CSCR for the installation of its underground water pipe has reportedly caused two vehicular accidents in the area near Talisay City on Wednesday night, injuring at least three motorists.

CCTO executive director lawyer Rey Gealon said there was no enough warning device or proper lighting put up near the excavated road.

“With only plywood signage put up near the area, a motorcycle travelling at 40 kilometers per hour will find it difficult to maneuver away and can still be victimized there and slid on the steel plates temporarily used to cover the diggings,” he said.

Gealon said the water treatment facility needs to coordinate with the traffic authority since its operation concerns traffic.

“The area around the road work premises has no rotating lights installed; adequate lighting supplied; and reflectorized signage put up ahead in order to ward off motorists passing by,” he said.

He added that placing a plywood signage is not in compliance with the safety requirements in implementing road works.

“Had they commenced their work with the necessary permit from CCTO office, we could have deployed personnel (all day and all night) to man the area and guide motorists to the innermost lane which is conveniently available,” he said.

He said the green reflectorized uniforms alone of CCTO personnel could ward off vehicles from the excavated road.

Gealon further said that the excavation work blocked two lanes of the three-lane north-bound road, which may affect traffic flow at the South Road Properties.  (FREEMAN)