Road center renovation needed to lessen accidents

By Paulo DS. Papa

SAN FERNANDO, Camarines Sur --- The center island along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bonifacio, San Fernando must undergo improvement, according to the local government.

The structure, located at the town’s business center, has been the site of numerous road accidents over the years, as reported by police authorities.

Mayor-elect Tin Danabar-Fulgentes, in an interview, said that the center island was a project funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and approved by the Sangguniang Bayan several years ago, during her term as a municipal councilor.

Fulgentes revealed that her husband, an engineer, pointed out that the island’s design is inappropriate—claiming it is too wide for a national road and poorly lit at night.

She disclosed that she will consult the matter with the DPWH Second District Engineering Office, noting that the consultation will help her make a clear decision on whether the island should be redesigned or improved.

Meanwhile, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Jayson Asuero confirmed that several accidents have been recorded along the portion of the highway where the center island was constructed.

According to him, accidents often occur because the structure is difficult to see during rainy days and at night.

Asuero suggested that the island should be raised, narrowed, and equipped with proper lighting, especially for night-time visibility.