DPWH execs told to explain delay
UNFINISHED BRIDGES
LINGAYEN—The provincial board expects the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in Region 1 and Pangasinan to explain the delays in the completion of the bridge projects in the province.
The board members agreed in last week’s session to invite the agency’s regional officials and be confronted with the commuters’ complaints about the extended inconvenience posed by the long overdue completion of the construction and repairs of bridges.
They decided to invite the regional director after being informed that several projects in the province are being undertaken directly by the regional office and that these are not coordinated with its district offices here.
Fourth District Board Members Liberato Villegas and Mojamito Libunao Jr., both expressed indignation over the unfinished Mangueragday Bridge in Barangay Longos, San Fabian town.
District Engineer Rodolfo Dion of the Second Pangasinan Engineering District told the board members he could not explain the status of the bridge project since it is a project of the regional office and nothing about it is being coordinated with his office.
Dion could only confirm that the bridge started construction on Feb. 12, 2014 with P45-million fund for phase 1. Unfortunately, the P50-million funds for phase 2 were not included in the General Appropriations Act causing the project to stop.
This prompted Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia to write Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson on March 9 requesting the needed fund to complete the project.
Dion received letter from his superiors in the DPWH directing him to submit program of work and other details for the project completion to be submitted to the central office.
Aside from the Mangueragday Bridge, Board Member Nestor Reyes complained about the closure of Balococ Bridge in Lingayen town for a month now although work has not started yet.
Board Members Alfonso Bince Jr and Ranjit Ramos Shahani also complained that the bridge in Sta. Barbara town has been closed for more than a year.
In addition to Dion, the three other district engineers in Pangasinan were also invited to appear before the provincial board this week. (Tita Roces/Johanne Macob)
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