A LAWMAKER called out the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI anew to expedite its pending and delayed projects in the city and restore roads in good condition.
In his privilege speech during the 20th City Council regular session on June 11, Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. aired his frustration with the agency.
“As a public servant and chairperson of the committee on public works and highways, I am demanding the DPWH XI to expedite their projects, comply with the law in executing their duties, and strictly monitor their contractors and penalize and/or suspend those who deliberately delay infrastructure projects,” Ibuyan said.
“Serbisyong May Bilis: Building Better More for a New Philippines, says DPWH in their new slogan. Meanwhile, the general public says “DPWH (Daghan Project Walay Human),” he added.
He reiterated numerous instances when the agency appeared before the council to shed light on various issues, however, “DPWH continues to overpromise but underdeliver.”
“We will not tolerate this bad practice, indeed. They had multiple opportunities to do their jobs properly, but because of their incompetence, we are still suffering. I’ve had enough,” he said.
To recall, councilors aired their collective gripe over delinquent contractors of DPWH and the lack of coordination with the City Transport and Traffic Management Board (CTTMB), during the April 2 regular session.
Dean Ortiz, DPWH XI spokesperson vowed to the City Council during the April 30 session to enhance coordination with the city government for smoother implementation of infrastructure projects.
However, Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s statement on May 31 called out again the DPWH to “act swiftly, fix and restore in better condition all roads they have already damaged before trying to destroy new roads.”
“Following the presentation of the DPWH to the Davao City Council justifying unfinished road projects in the city, the City Government of Davao reiterates its stand that DPWH must prioritize the repair of damaged roads and the construction of new road networks instead of destroying roads that are clearly in good condition,” Mayor Baste in the statement.
Ibuyan cited as an example the unfinished road repair projects in Guadalupe Village, Matina Pangi, Mamay Road, and Cabantian-Indangan Road, among others, that caused flooding and accidents.
He stressed that this is worrisome as La Niña is likely to happen in July-September, as announced by the Pagasa on June 7.
He added the problems persist yet DPWH keeps giving the same excuses including but not limited to road right-of-way issues, and budget issues, among others.
“Why would they proceed with the construction phase of the project knowing that there is still a pending RROW issue? How could they start digging holes and destroying perfectly fine concrete roads only to stop halfway due to “issues” and causing problems for the public? Ibuyan said.
He also questioned whether could it be the agency’s “incompetence” or if there was an “underlying agenda behind it.”
The councilor passed a resolution demanding the DPWH XI and its subsidiary office to fast-track and fix all pending infrastructure projects, during suspended rules of the session.
