Marcos Highway hole jams traffic, causes accident in Antipolo

A deformity on a section of the Marcos Highway in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Antipolo City turned into a gaping hole which led to traffic congestion on  Saturday.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras  Weekend,” locals noticed the deformity during the past few days before it collapsed at around 2 a.m.

A motorcycle rider even got into an accident because of the hole, the report added.

The Department of Public Works and Highways explained that the pit was not a sinkhole.

In its initial assessment, the DPWH said that a drainage underneath was clogged.

The clogged drainage might have caused the soil to soften resulting in the gaping hole on the road.

“Yung isa po nagbara kasi marami  na siyang silt at saka mga lupa na mga bato. Nililinis na siya  paunti-unti ngayon,” said Perry Cleofaz, DPWH district engineer.

(A drainage was clogged because of silt and rocks. It is being cleaned right now.)

Manila Water, on the other hand, assured nearby residents that the hole would not affect the water supply in the area.

“Wala naman kaming activities na ginagawa diyan lately. Wala ding na-observe  na leak,” said Dittie Galang, Manila Water corporate communications  head.

(We have not had any activities there lately. There was also no leak observed.)

Contractors of Manila Water are currently repairing the hole.

In the meantime, motorists were advised to take alternative routes while repairs were being made. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/DVM, GMA Integrated News