Contractor stops work on Davao City bridge

DAVAO CITY – The construction of the Bolton Bridge here was stopped last Monday when laborers walked out after the Department of Public Works and Highways failed to pay the contractor’s P60-million claim.

The contractor, Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corp., put up a sign at the bridge’s approach, saying it was suspending work because of delayed payments of its claims: P50 million for the Agdao flyover project and P10 million from the Bolton Bridge.

The nearly completed bridge is slated for inauguration next month.

The DPWH office here, however, said the Department of Budget and Management still has to release funds not only for the Bolton Bridge but for other vital infrastructure projects in Southern Mindanao (Region 11).

The regional DPWH office reportedly has at least P2 billion in unreleased funds intended for various projects.

Members of the Davao Contractors Association shared the sentiment of Advanced Foundation and pressed the DPWH to release the funds. — Edith Regalado