Press Release
July 9, 2012

SENATOR LAMBASTS DPWH OVER FLOODED HIGHWAY

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. vehemently denounced Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), for his inaction to upgrade a major thoroughfare in Bacoor, Cavite which resulted to the rising of flood water last Friday.

The senator is referring to the flooding of the Aguinaldo Highway, one of the primary national roads from Metro Manila to Bacoor and other areas in Cavite Province. The flooding caused a six hour traffic jam which irked thousands of motorists and commuters.

He criticized the apparent procrastination of the DPWH in the implementation of flood-control measures along Aguinaldo Highway. "Walang masama sa paniniguro sa pag-implement ng mga proyekto. Pero hindi dapat patagalin ang mga proyekto para maapektuhan pa ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan. Sabi nga, aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Revilla explained that over a year ago, he already alerted the DPWH on the inevitability of flooding and requested that flood-control mechanisms immediately be put in place, but to date, the DPWH has not acted on the matter. "Napakatagal na nating hiniling na ayusin iyan pero walang silang ginawa. Hinihintay pa nila yatang maperwisyo ang publiko saka sila kikilos."

The lawmaker also stressed that anti-corruption measures and being frugal should not affect the implementation of necessary programs. "We must see to it that our infrastructure programs are not put on hold. What is the use of saving if we do not provide the necessary services to the people?"

Revilla also condemned the reported asphalting of manholes and drainage inlets in Metro Manila which also caused severe flooding last week. "What we experienced last week is just a low pressure area. Paano na kung may bagyo? Baka abot leeg na ang baha," he said.

He urged Singson to make sure that all slip-ups in the construction of the Aguinaldo Highway and other major roads will be effectively addressed as soon as possible and repairs will last for a long time. "Kung kindi pa nagbaha ay hindi mabubuko ang kapalpakang iyan. Halatang hindi minonitor iyan, Dapat i-black list ang mga kontratista. Kung kailangan sibakin ang mga DPWH official na nakatoka diyan, sibakin na," he added.

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