It’s a clear and present danger to borrow a title from a bestselling novel by American author Tom Clancy.
But this refers not to international geopolitics, rather, this is much closer to home here in Barangay San Antonio, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas.
Hitting it straight home, this is no other than the open manhole of Sto Tomas City’s mega-imburnal at the right corner side of Putol street corner Maharlika Highway.
It’s right across Rose & Grace resto along the highway.
Indeed it’s a clear and present danger especially that the area is always swarming with pedestrians crossing to and fro whenever the signal light above and at eye level flashes green.
Yes, there are two concrete barriers protecting it but the space between them can instantly swallow a full-grown man or woman.
I took a close look at it a few days ago, and susmaryosep, it’s indeed a disaster waiting to happen to anyone, to any pedestrian.
I even grew goosebumps just looking down into the 6-foot abyss of a canal/imburnal.
This is supposedly a direct responsibility of the city’s DPOS (Department of Public Order and Safety) although the mark on the two concrete barriers says its DPWH’s.
But cannot they return the lid back in its place when there seems nothing more work is to be done thereabouts is a just puzzle.
It recently rained cats and dogs flooding a good stretch of Maharlika Highway and water rushed down through the opening and into canal or imburnal and just one single misstep by any pedestrian and SWAK! I think no one will even notice it.
We are writing this on behalf of pedestrians, workers, and residents of Brgy. San Antonio as an immediate appeal to authorities concerned on public safety in the city and foremost to Mayor Edna Sanchez.
Aksyunan n’yo na po agad mayora bago pa dumating ang isang sakuna at mapunta pa ang sisi sa inyo.
‘Di ko lubos maintindihan bakit hindi ibinabalik ang cover nito na sa tingin ko naman wala na dapat na ayusin pa sa manhole na ito. Disgrasya na lamang ang nag-aantay na mangyari dito.
As it seems the rainy days are upon us, methinks it is a must for the DPOS to finish whatever job is lying out there and cover it pronto.
It really is, a very clear and present danger.
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On a bright note, Sto. Tomas City’s brand new lighted center island is taking a lot of plaudits from motorists and netizens from nearby Tanauan City alike.
They used this as a point of comparison to Tanauan City’s now-infamous center island.
Nice one.
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