Newly paved road in Butuan torn up after cracks found

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A newly paved road leading to one of Butuan City’s popular mountain destinations is being dismantled after cracks were discovered, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ordering the contractor to remove and replace the affected sections.

Photos circulating online show heavy equipment tearing portions of the newly finished pavement going to Mt. Mayapay View Deck in Barangay Nong-nong.

The issue gained attention after a social media post called on local authorities to explain the repair work on the newly completed road project toward the view deck, which has been attracting visitors for its panoramic landscape view.

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“It was only recently completed but is now being torn up,” a netizen posted in Cebuano. “Instead of disrupting access, we hope that improvements will continue to support local tourism and the livelihood of the surrounding community.”

In an online interview with the Inquirer, Connie Calo, DPWH-Caraga information officer, confirmed that the agency’s Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) found alleged defects during its inspection of the project.

Calo said the inspection identified issues not only on the surface of the cemented road but also on portions near the Mt. Mayapay View Deck, one of the most visited areas.

The affected section is part of the access road leading to Altar Falls in Barangay Nong-nong, Butuan City, which the contractor completed on April 26.

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According to DPWH-Caraga, the inspection revealed “criss-cross cracks” on the completed Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP), causing the section to fail the agency’s required quality standards.

“The (repair) activity incurs no additional cost to the government; it is at the contractor’s expense as part of their corrective measures,” Calo said.

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The contractor, identified as HappyAll3 Builders/ME3 Construction, initially told the DPWH that the cracks may have been caused by the high heat index experienced in Butuan City since last month.

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The Inquirer tried but failed to get comments directly from the contractor on Thursday. 

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Complete payment to the contractor for the P95.6 million road project will be processed after the repair work is done./coa