EDITORIAL

DPWH Must Follow International Quality Standard

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

The weekly Kapihan forum on June 16, 2012 discussed the topic: “Status Report of Infra Projects of DPWH”. The lone guest at Smokehauz Resto & Bar is Engr. Rory M. Laserna, OIC and Chief Maintenance Section.

Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino underscored the vital role of public infra projects in improving socio economic life of the people. Roads and bridges, school buildings, spring development, construction of ports and airports are but a few that need to be upgraded if we are to be globally competitive. In Aklan where tourism is emphasized, big influx of guests is exemplified by vibrant support marketing infra said the former Vice Governor.

Mr. Laserna informed that their agency is now headed by Engr. Abraham Villareal, vice Engr. Roberto Cabigas who retired recently. As of June 1, 2012 a total of P266.05 million worth of projects was completed or in halfway status to completion namely: a) Construction/rehabilitation of drainage system – P2.8 million, b) Repair/maintenance of AKlan West Road – P10.4 million, c) Construction of Pilot Trial – use of Eoasto plastic barchip synthetic fibers in PCCP – P5.8 million, d) Construction of public market – P2.0 million; 

e) Repair/rehabilitation of existing river control project – P39.0 million, f) Concreting of roads – P12.5 million, g) Construction of farm to market road – P29.6 million, h) Spring water development – P5 million, j) Construction of multi-purpose building and schoolhouse – P8.15 million, k) Rehabilitation of Tambak seawall – P57.0 million, l) Construction of hanging bridge – P.8 million, and m) Bridge construction (Tangalan) – P40.0 million. Aklan national highway stretches 160.75 kilometers. From Aklan – Capiz boundary in Altavas to Aklan – Antique boundary in Buruanga where 94.5 percent is fully paved with concrete and/or macadamized, reported the Maintenance Chief.

From the above appropriation, big time ticket projects go to rehabilitation of Tambak seawall (New Washington), Improvement/widening of Osmeña Avenue (Kalibo), Repair/rehabilitation of multi-purpose building and schoolhouse (3.0 percent) and construction of drainage system (1.0 percent).

The Tambak seawall stretching half a kilometer has been under rehabilitation and or construction for the last four decades. Yet, after massive spending of millions of pesos, nothing concrete came out. It thus serves as milking cow of some unscrupulous people.

The parallel diversion road construction started in the early 1990’s must be continued to offset disastrous coastal erosion. Tambak bridge must be widened and excavated to allow free flow of seawater to nourish and replenish polluted water in Lagatik river.

There is growing concern over the outdated and decrepit Aklan bridge spanning Kalibo and Numancia. Widening the bridge will entail multi-million pesos investment. Former Highway District Engineer Roberto Cabigas once announced a parallel bridge to connect Tigayon, Kalibo with Bagto, Lezo is proposed for funding to form part of the Republic Nautical Highway to Caticlan. However its fate is in limbo.

Aklan expends a lot of money on concrete river embankments or flood control projects. Our Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office always caution people not to build their houses in disaster – prone areas like rivers and steep hillsides. The existing provincial road from Banga to Libacao like Tambak road is eaten away by rampaging waters. It would be best if a more permanent solution be taken like diverting the road to safer ground.

Speaking of future development projects, road construction to connect Libacao, Aklan to Calinog, Iloilo is ideal project to develop our vast water resource for domestic use, irrigation, power, recreation and fish conservation. Urban squatters in Laserna St. Kalibo may be convinced to go back to their former places and stay for good because socio-economic condition is greatly improving. Based on the latest PNP report, Aklan has no more problem of insurgency.

One likes to travel over concrete or macadamized roads because travel is fast and comfortable. But observation shows, no sooner than two years after road is completed, there are signs of premature ageing like cracks, potholes, and buckling. Pretty soon it is overlaid or overhauled completely because of shoddy workmanship and shrieks of corruption or collusion between contractors and government officials. The Kalibo bridge was constructed before the Second World War yet it is still safe to pass on it until today. Ibajay bridge was condemned only two years ago. On the other hand, Tangalan bridge was completed in the early 1960’s yet it stands to be demolished and replaced.

Infra projects implemented by DPWH are indeed crucial to boost our economy and well being. Considering the big investment, there is urgency to be effective and efficient in implementing plans that would come up to international standard. Certainly, DPWH is not a repair and rehabilitation agency where its present jobs occupy most of their time but a real construction or building office. Riding public is fed up with ubiquitous road signs as “Sorry for the inconvenience”. LGU’s and NGO’s must be vigilant and adopt a monitoring and evaluation of projects done in their respective areas.  /MP