A LAWMAKER here said they are preparing an ordinance to impose sanctions on contractors that contribute to poor public roads in the city.
Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr., committee chair on public works and highways, said poor road conditions contribute to crashes, collisions, and risks to pedestrian safety.
“We have a pending ordinance, penalizing all, not only DPWH, City Engineering Office, but also the contractors, kapag naay diperensya ilang projects,” Ibuyan said in a sideline interview after the May 20 regular session.
The Land Transportation Office-Davao, on Monday’s Kapehan sa Davao, said that ongoing road works that are not maintained are a factor in increasing road accidents.
This, coupled with the lack of signage, traffic signs to control drivers, and less manpower to oversee the traffic.
Ibuyan emphasized there is a need for personnel to man the traffic and the equipment, especially in the construction site, if there is an ongoing project. He recognized there is a lack of manpower, but the minimum the contractors can do is put up “slow down” signage and reflectors, especially on dilapidated roads.
Asked if there are delinquent contractors responsible for city road construction, he said he has been calling them out during the committee hearings.
“Pangutana nimo naa ba, akong tubag ana daghan. Even sa akong committee hearings, sigeg badlong ug pagpuna sa ila,” he said, noting the road accidents are not new remembering a rider who fell in one of the manholes.
The DPWH, he said, recognized that there are contractors that the office cannot control.
Lack of financial capacity of DPWH district engineering offices, also attributed to the poorly maintained roads, he added.
“Pag hindi sila nilagyan ng budget for maintenance, hindi din sila maka maintain ng specific roads. Minsan budget for sweldo lang sa mga tao, pati ang mga JOs gipangtanggal,” he stressed.
Part of the maintenance is the asphalting of roads, pedestrian lanes, signages, and even road repairs, which the engineering office cannot comply with due to a lack of budget
