Multi-million road rehab in 2nd district baffles SP dads
Probe set as check on other Iloilo road projects sought
At least P30 million for every kilometer of road to be rehabilitated. The Iloilo Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) saying it has no idea of said project. 8.6 kilometers of subject road network covering Second District towns of New Lucena and Sta. Barbara. Total purported national government funding of P319 million.
For Second District Board Member June Mondejar, put together said figures, statistics and data, what is missing is a legislative look. What is needed is a thorough investigation.
As such, the Committee on Infrastructure of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) takes cognizance today of the concern. This, as preliminary works begin for what has been slated as yet another legislative probe in aid of legislation in the 9th SP.
And “never again,” too, came Mondejar’s statement saying if indeed multi-million road rehabilitation is going to happen, an assurance is needed that the work will not be defective.
With funding supposedly sourced from the national government, implementation Mondejar was told, is with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“We do not know whether this improvement means concreting or asphalting and up to what extent. If asphalthing, how sure is the DPWH that this will not be the same with the asphalting of Cabugao Norte – Pagsangaan provincial road that allegedly lasted only for approximately six months? And how sure is the DPWH that this will not be the same asphalting work in San Miguel national road that allegedly lasted only for one year?,” Mondejar in his “Never Again” speech then said.
Mondejar’s query came amidst information from a DPWH source of the P319 million government funding. Further still, Mondejar was told that the contract was allegedly awarded to a yet to be known contractor.
With the SP committee hearing set, invites are being readied for DPWH officials and district engineer concerned.
Mondejar’s move generated similar concerns from the SP body with a proposal to include other road projects ongoing and planned for Iloilo province.