Concrete barriers to stay on EDSA despite 31 accidents in June

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 31 concrete barrier accidents on EDSA in June amid the general community quarantine.

According to Mark Salazar's Tuesday report on "24 Oras," 20 of the 31 accidents occurred between 6 p.m. and  6 a.m. from June 1 to June 22.

As these were hours with a low volume of traffic, MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago said that it was likely drivers failed to notice the barrier due to their speed.

"Maiiwasan po ang aksidente kung tayo po ay mananatili lamang sa ating lane, hindi po tayo mag over-speeding kapag madaling araw at 'yun po 'yung dahilan kung bakit nagkakabiglaan po doon sa mga nasabing concrete barriers," Pialago said.

The MMDA thus had no plans to remove the barriers.

"Wala po'ng kasalanan ang concrete barriers," Pialago insisted.

While the MMDA would not comment on whether the concrete barriers followed international road safety standards, Pialago was firm that plastic barriers could not be used.

"Inalis po natin 'yung mga orange barriers kasi ito po nililipad kapag malakas po 'yung hangin at ulan. Diyan po naiintindihan natin na mabubulaga po 'yung mga motorista," Pialago said.

"Pero 'yung concrete barriers po, ahead of time, nakikita ho natin dahil reflectorized naman po 'yan," she added.

The MMDA would also establish 16 more solar-powered warning lights before drivers can reach the concrete barriers, which separate bus and private vehicle lanes. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News