QC addresses manhole woes

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has directed the City Engineer’s Office to replace damaged or stolen manholes to prevent unnecessary accidents.

In a directive to officer-in-charge Chito Cabungcal, Belmonte said the problem of damaged and missing manholes has been a perennial problem confronting the city government.

"Damaged manholes must be immediately replaced or repaired," he said.

The mayor noted that most of the damaged manholes, particularly on sidestreets are caused by illegally parked vehicles, particularly cargo trucks that used the sidewalk as temporary parking areas.

Belmonte directed Cabungcal to submit a periodic report on the status of manholes in various parts of the city along with photographs showing the damaged manhole and the repair or replacement undertaken.

Cabungcal, for his part, said he has organized a team that will concentrate on the daily accounting of manholes and conduct the immediate repair or replacement.

The mayor also asked the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to help the Department of Public Order and Safety in the apprehension and impounding of heavy vehicles that are using sidestreets as their overnight parking areas.