DPWH seeks exemption from public works ban

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is seeking an exemption from the law banning road and infrastructure projects during the political campaign season which officially started yesterday.

DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut said they filed a request before Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos last Tuesday seeking an exemption from the ban.

Abalos, however, instantly turned down the request. "What is not allowed by law cannot be allowed by exemption from us (Comelec)," he told the DPWH official.

Yabut said they were hoping they would be exempted from the ban, saying the department is expecting the arrival of funds to immediately start the projects being lined up for completion this year.

"We were expecting to receive more funds in the coming days so we hope to go ahead with our projects despite the ban," Yabut said.

Yabut, however, admitted that the funding may not come anyway. He also did not he say how much allocation they would be expecting.

Based on yesterday’s advertisements posted by the DPWH inviting bidders for future government projects, there are at least P35 million more infrastructure work being planned. — Jose Aravilla