Rampant thievery of steel gratings alarms DPWH
18 Oct 2012 Printer-Friendly Version
The Quezon Avenue underpass opened just a month ago, yet the rampant thievery of its steel grating covers has forced the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to seek help from police authorities and the general public.
According to DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson, public vigilance and intensified patrols and surveillance of police officers--especially at night--are necessary to stop the unlawful activities of some unscrupulous individuals that put the safety of motorists and commuters at risk.
"Steel rail guards, signboard poles, and bridge metal markers are often the target of the thieves in the provinces," said Singson. "But recently, steel gratings are now also being stolen in Metro Manila.
A week after the underpass's inauguration, thieves began stealing the steel grating at the eastbound portion of the G. Araneta/Quezon Avenue Interchange Project in Quezon City. The replacement of the stolen steel grating has to be carried out immediately by the DPWH Quezon City 2nd District engineering office so they won't hamper the smooth flow of traffic."
The steel gratings are installed across national roads, and they serve as water inlets during *******ial downpours to prevent floodings, Singson explained. But with the steel gratings stolen, the reinstallation of replacement ones has disrupted the flow of traffic through the underpass. The DPWH explained that if the installation of the replacement steel gratings are not undertaken immediately by its maintenance crew, the uncovered gaps may damage vehicles and endanger the lives of motorists.
Singson warned that if the rampant stealing of government-installed facilities will continue to plague national roads, this would result in the dramatic increase of road accidents.