GMA blows top over delay in Cebu road repair

CEBU — President Arroyo scolded once again the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its failure to repair the Naga-Uling Road.

Mrs. Arroyo, in a pooled radio broadcast Friday, threatened to relieve DPWH regional director Juanito Abergas after learning that her order last year to expedite the rehabilitation project had not been heeded.

According to the President, she might consider transferring Abergas for inefficiency.

Mrs. Arroyo, however, promised to personally call the public works and highways secretary to expedite the project.

The Naga-Toledo Road rehabilitation project, of which the repair of the 21.217-kilometer Naga-Uling Road is a component, was supposed to be bid out last October.

However, for unknown reasons, the bidding did not push through and is tentatively scheduled between May and April this year.

Marlina Alvizo, DPWH second engineering district chief who has jurisdiction over the Naga-Uling Road, said she does not know why the project has been delayed.

Alvizo said it is the Philippine Japan Highway Loan division of the DPWH’s central office in Manila that is in charge of the project.

But according to Gov. Pablo Garcia, DPWH officials in Cebu could not wash their hands off the problem, saying it is their responsibility to maintain the road.

Alvizo, however, said her office is maintaining the road and in fact, has been putting filling materials on the dilapidated road.

The Naga-Uling Road has been the subject of several complaints by residents in the southern and southwestern parts of the province.

The President also flared up when she passed by the road during her visit in March last year.

The project is expected to be delayed some more because of the ban on government infrastructure projects starting on March 26.

The 34.81-kilometer Naga-Toledo Road rehabilitation project, with an estimated cost of P555 million, is included in the 23rd yen loan credit granted by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. — Freeman News Service