DPWH urges public to help monitor project irregularities

MANILA, Philippines - Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. urged yesterday the public to help monitor government infrastructure projects and report to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) any perceived irregularity.

Ebdane also ordered DPWH personnel to put up billboards that not only state the nature, cost and contractors of the projects but also the contact number of the regional and district engineering officials and offices implementing the projects.

“This is a way for us to feel the pulse and get the active participation of the general public for them to know what really is going on in the field,” he said in a statement.

In March 2005, Ebdane established the “responsive feedback mechanism” systems to ensure that people report to the DPWH project irregularities and delays, make suggestions or commendations, or inquire about infrastructure projects.

The program includes DPWH “Txt 2920” where people can text their complaints and ideas. Those who want to send their messages to the DPWH should type DPWH [space] <message> [space] <sender’s contact detail> and send to 2920.

“I want to assure people that we will address all the issues and concerns brought to my attention through this mechanism,” Ebdane said.

He had asked his personnel to give “110 percent everyday” to finish by December the major projects announced by President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address last year.

He said 85 percent of those projects have been completed.

From 2005 to 2010, Ebdane said the DPWH would work to pave 2,207 kilometers of the National Arterial Road System and construct, rehabilitate, and widen 2,188 kilometers more.

The agency would also pave and rehabilitate 2,512 kilometers of national secondary roads and construct bridges measuring 210,769 lineal meters, he said. – Helen Flores