MALOLOS
CITY—A Bulacan provincial board member warned of filing charges against the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for improper implementation of
infrastructure projects in the province.
This
came as DPWH officials drew flak for the road-widening project along the
MacArthur Highway here while public utilities posts have not been transferred.
Records
showed that about 1,000 electric and telephone posts have encroached on the
road right of way of the Manila North Road or the MacArthur Highway from
Meycauayan City Calumpit town.
“I
will definitely file charges against the DPWH if they will issue certifi cate
of completion to their contractors,” Board Member Michael Fermin said. He said
that implementation of road widening project along the MacArthur Highway is
“improper.”
Fermin
said that over 200 posts are still on the way of drainage canals being
constructed or within the road right of way. “That’s a clear misuse of public
funds and bad stewardship of people’s money,” he said.
The
Senior Board Member also noted that more than a week ago, the said drainage
canal was repaired even if the project is not completed yet. “They upgraded the
canal and if they spent P2 million with it the first time constructed the canal, they spent the same
for the repair,” he said.
Fermin
also blamed the DPWH for lack of consultation with local government units
before implementing the project. He also expressed dismay over the lack of
monitoring and assessment by provincial and city engineering offices on the said
project.
“I
wonder why,” Fermin said and added, “they should have the last word before the
implementation.”
For
his part, Engineer Glenn Reyes, head of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO)
said they conduct monitoring on the said projects. But when asked if PEO
conducts on-site monitoring and ocular inspection during the implementation of
the project, Reyes said they only receive reports from the DPWH.
With
regards to relocation of public utilities posts along the MacArthur Highway,
Engineer Ruel Angeles said they have been coordinating with public utilities
companies, but their requests to relocate posts were disregarded.
He
added that since they started implementing road widening along the MacArthur
Highway in 2005, they had already sent requests. However, Fermin and Gov,
Wilhelmino Alvarado said public utilities companies responded by relocating
some of the posts in Guiguinto town and in Barangay Dakila in this city.
Fermin
stressed that lack of [proper coordination in the implementation of said road
widening project will cost the government a lot money.
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