MANILA (UPDATE)— The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said the asphalt it used in EDSA is not substandard, despite the need for road repairs.

DPWH on Friday commenced the asphalt overlay and re-blocking in 15 EDSA sites, dubbed as "one time, big time" road repairs, instead of doing these every weekend.

• 'One time, big time' EDSA repairs start Friday night despite possible rains

The timing was criticized by Senator JV Ejercito, who said the repairs must be done when the weather improves. He added that the asphalt's quality should be good so this would not be done from time to time.

"Parang Skyflakes na nga ang sabi ko sa kanila. Eh eto yung mabibilis mabutas pag malakas ang ulan.. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya yan para taon-taon may maintenance,” he said on Friday.

But speaking on Radyo 630, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said potholes in main thoroughfares prompted the agency to conduct the repairs, which he said was caused by the recent heavy rains.

• Motorists told to plan ahead of 'one time, big time' EDSA repair

"Siguro sa patuloy na pag-ulan kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng ganoong potholes sa mga kalsada natin. Kaya kailangan naming kumpunihin at ganito talaga ang phenomenon ng mga kalsada natin," he said.

Bonoan also maintained the asphalt and other materials they use is of quality.

"Hindi naman (substandard)," the DPWH said when asked if this was the case.

"Okay naman, may specification naman ang ginagawa natin sa pagkumpuni na kalsada. Yung sinasabi natin na — alalahanin din natin ang pavements katulad ng sa EDSA, matagal nang nilatag yan. Hindi naman isang taon siguro na nailatag tapos masisira kaagad, mayroon namang quality yung nilalagay naming materyales diyan," he said.

MMDA PREPARED

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), for its part, said it was prepared to help commuters and motorists find alternatives during the road repairs.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said they have already coordinated with the DPWH, contractors, and the local governments' traffic units so they could come up with a traffic management plan.

"Sa Monday, we expect heavy forming of traffic dahil may pasok na sa paaralan at ganoon din sa mga trabaho, kaya kami ay nakikiusap sa ating mga kababayan na gamitin ang alternatibong ruta," said Artes.

"Kung hindi ganoon kaimportante ang inyong mga lakad, ipagpaliban muna, gumamit ng Skyway or MRT para mabilis," he added.

The transportation department is prepared for a possible additional 100,000 passengers in their trains, he said, as commuters try to evade the heavy traffic.

Signages were also installed in some parts of Mabuhay lanes and EDSA to warn motorists of the ongoing road repairs.

Motorists can take Mabuhay lanes and those coming from the south and north areas may use the Skyway.

The MMDA advised motorists to monitor their social media accounts to take alternate routes to avoid possible traffic.

The EDSA road repairs are expected to be completed around 5 a.m. of August 9.

EDSA BUS CAROUSEL AFFECTED

MMDA said traffic along EDSA will be affected especially in some portions of Quezon City and Mandaluyong as the asphalt overlay would also happen along EDSA Bus Carousel lanes.

Some EDSA Carousel bus drivers said they have already experienced slight delay in their regular trips due to the ongoing road works.

Drivers said they noted additional one hour delay in their trips.

The MMDA said a stop-and-go scheme is being implemented in areas where asphalt overlay is being done.

This means that the carousel buses will use the second lane of Edsa, in turn affecting private vehicles.

Meanwhile as of Saturday morning, traffic along the main thoroughfare including those in Mabuhay Lanes are still manageable, the head of the Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department said.

Dexter Cardenas said no traffic build up was observed even in intersections.

Additional traffic enforcers have been deployed in Quezon City to manage traffic especially during mall hours where congestion is expected.

— with a report from Champ De Lunas, Jose Carretero, and Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News

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