- Councilors question Apo Agua’s claims of 100% completion in road restoration
APO AGUA Infrastructura Inc. reported to the Sanguniang Panglunsod on Tuesday that its road restoration works from pipelaying activities for the bulk water project are 100% complete.
Art Milan, Apo Agua director told lawmakers in the May 14 regular session that they restored 35 kilometers of roads in various parts of the city.
“Meaning, there are no more barricades or barriers and it is now totally open to vehicular traffic,” Milan said.
The director added they constantly coordinate with the affected communities, the Department of Public Works and Highways, City Engineer’s Office, and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office to update them about the construction.
On May 8, the company briefed the DPWH and CEO about the roads restored, including the national highways in Tugbok.
“It was agreed by all parties present in the meeting that Apo Agua has completed the roadworks as of April 30, 2024,” Milan shared.
Per assessment, only 32 of the total 35 km. roads are directly on top of the pipelaying, the remaining 3.3 kilometers were the affected arteries.
The breakdown of the roads affected and restored include Gumalang, Lacson (457.51 meters); Lacson, Calinan, Talomo River (5717.31 m); Talomo River, Riverside, Los Amigos, Tugbok, Biao Joaquin (4,069.53m); Talandang, New Valencia (11,978.35m); Mandug, Tigatto, and Buhangin Proper (7,191.49m); Mandug and Indangin (938.88m); Indangan (Palos Verdes) with 1,924.75 m; Acacia, Indangan (1,823.99m); Cabantian, Indangan (1,539.16m).
The director then proceeded to present a short audio-video production showing the restored roads.
“Daghang salamat for your kind understanding, patience, and continued support for this project for Davao City,” Milan said.
Not impressed
However, Councilor Alberto Ungab questioned the quality of the repair and told Milan to verify the Calinan-Talomo River road as the concrete already showed cracks not even a year had passed since it was completed.
“That is not the same road that I am passing through every day, something is wrong with those roads. The roads which you said you have fixed are not anymore passable,” Ungab said, adding that Apo Agua’s claims do not align with his experience.
Councilor Javi Campos III questioned the rehabilitation and improvement of the adjacent roads affected by the delay in the repairs.
“The lane directly affected by pipelaying might have been restored but adjacent roads have been affected due to the delays of the project. Is there a plan to rehabilitate those roads?” Campos said.
Campos added the roads, especially in Mandug, are new highways that have been affected by the delay of Apo Agua activities.
Milan attributed the damage to the wear and tear of the road and noted these are under a one-year warranty. Defects within a year will be rectified. He assured of regular assessments to ensure construction quality and longevity.
Councilor Bonz Andrei Militar demanded that Apo Agua not only restore the affected adjacent roads but return them to their original state before the bulk water project pipelaying activities.
Militar referred to the stretch of road from Calinan to Talandang and a 50-meter stretch in Los Amigos where the adjacent lane next to the lane Apo Agua claimed to have restored was critically damaged due to the repair delays
“If you are indeed genuine to your commitments to ensure that the affected roads especially those which are in good condition before you destroy them be restored in the original state or better,” Militar said.
To recall, Militar vented his frustration against Apo Agua’s delaying tactics in the road repairs and restoration on the 14th regular session, April 16.
Apo Agua was invited to appear on April 16 before the city council to shed light on the ongoing road restoration projects, but no representative showed up and instead postponed the appearance on May 14.
