COA urged to look into DPWH projects in Zamboanga

A motorist passes on an asphalted road in Zamboanga Del Sur province in Western Mindanao. Many national roads and highways from Zamboanga City to Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte provinces in Western Mindanao had been asphalted by the Department of Public Works and Highways even though they are in good condition, but leaves dilapidated roads unattended in the region. And Workers lay out asphalt on a long stretch of concrete road in Zamboanga City despite its good condition. The Department of Public Works and Highways has been the subject of strong public criticisms over its projects not only in Zamboanga City, but also in other parts of Western Mindanao, where it broke portions of the highways and put concrete over it again only to layer them again with asphalt. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 25, 2012) – The Department of Public Works Highways have began layering asphalt on highways in Zamboanga City despite the road’s good condition.

Motorists also complained of unfinished works on highways and rendering the roads dangerous to travellers. From Zamboanga City to the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay down to Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, including Basilan, hundreds of kilometers of roads were either broken to pave way for new concreting or asphalted.

“This is terrible. You can see the roads are in good condition, but they broke it and then poured concrete over it again and only to put asphalt on top of it several months later. It’s a waste of tax money and we want to see the COA reports on these projects,” one family driver, who frequently travels from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City, said.

COA refers to the Commission of Audit. The DPWH has constantly been included in the most corrupt agencies of the government in various reports.

The DPWH insisted the road rehabilitation has been programmed and funded by the national government, aside from asphalt overlaying projects funded by lawmakers.

In its website, the DPWH listed all its ongoing projects and contractors in Western Mindanao and can be acessed on this URL: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/infrastructure/pms/09.asp

The agency also has infrastructure projects that included bridges, school buildings, water system, multipurpose buildings, farm to market roads, flood control and drainage system, among others worth billions of pesos. (Mindanao Examiner)