LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – An anti-corruption watchdog in the Cordillera is questioning the proliferation of alleged substandard re-blocking projects in this capital town, a blatant waste of taxpayer’s money detrimental to the welfare of the majority of the populace.
In his letter to Engr. David Buliyat, District Engineer of the Department of Public works and Highways–First Benguet Engineering District, Salvador Liked, Secretary-General of the Cordillera chapter of the Citizens Crime Watch, disclosed that the agency’s re-blocking projects along the stretch of Halsema Highway had caused numerous accidents in the past several months and that the re-blocked sections incurred numerous cracks and scouring.
The re-blocking project at kilometer five was removed and replaced, Liked alleged the removed and replaced pavement is now showing obvious signs of various cracks and scaling only a few months after the institution of the so-called corrective measures.
He argued that the re-blocking in front of the Palangdao building was completed despite the complaint of Engr. Medel Flores that the contractor allegedly poured their waste cement mortar then cemented it the next day which is contrary to sound engineering practices.
Furthermore, Liked alleged that the re-blocking near the highway boundary arch is reportedly showing numerous cracks and scaling which again shows poor workmanship to the detriment of the tax-paying public and users.
According to him, there is a need to continuously expose the alleged substandard infrastructure projects in the different parts of the province being implemented by the DPWH.
Liked invoked Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Ethics and Standards of Public Officials and Employees which states that, in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, all officials and employees are under obligation to act promptly on letters and requests; respond to letters, telegrams or other forms of letters within 15 days upon receipt; reply must contain the action taken on the said request.
Liked claimed the DPWH has to investigate similarly situated previous and ongoing projects that now casts question on the ability of the agency’s technical personnel to monitor the quality of the projects being implemented in their areas of jurisdiction.
He challenged the agency not to simply observe the surface of implemented projects but instead conduct the appropriate coring tests on all the completed and ongoing projects to ascertain whether or not contractors strictly followed the programs of work of the said infrastructures .
By HENT