DPWH employees to get P10,000 anniversary bonus

MANILA, Philippines - Employees and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will each receive a P10,000 anniversary bonus in recognition of their hard work and dedication to service, President Aquino said yesterday.

Aquino made the surprise announcement during the agency’s 115th founding anniversary celebration at the DPWH compound in Port Area, Manila.

He hoped the bonus would inspire all the 19,253 DPWH employees to keep up what he considered their good work.

The agency has been blamed for the recent flooding in Metro Manila after it reportedly failed to finish several drainage improvement and road repair projects in time for the rainy season.

Critics said the agency should have rushed to finish these projects aimed to lessen flooding in the metropolis.

Aquino said he was lucky to have Secretary Rogelio Singson in his Cabinet.

He said he is grateful for Singson, noting that aside from being one of the best performers, the DPWH chief always has a ready solution to every problem that crops up.

The President said the DPWH, considered as one of the most corrupt agencies in the past, has instituted reforms under Singson’s leadership.

He said the agency is currently promoting projects at the right cost and quality, and which would be completed on time.

For his part, Singson said the DPWH is currently constructing a flood control project along Blumentritt Street in Manila that would intercept floodwater coming from Quezon City and prevent it from flooding España Boulevard.

Singson said by mid-2014, the flooding problem along Espaa would be lessened. He said the project costs P620 million.

“The Blumentritt Interceptor is like a water tunnel measuring 2.6 kilometers long, 2.6 meters deep and 3.6 meters wide. So the water coming from Quezon City would no longer reach España and Laong Laan streets,” said Singson.            ‘

The project reportedly stretches runs through Dapitan-Laong Laan-Blumentritt-Chinese Hospital-Jose Abad Santos street and exits at the Sunog Apog Creek and Maypajo Creek in Manila.

Originally the project was expected to be completed in 18 months, but Singson said it could be finished in a year. The DPWH chief admitted the project would not totally solve the flooding in España, but only lessen the problem. Since floodwater from Quezon City would fall into the Blumentritt Interceptor, only the rainwater that directly falls on España would cause floods.

Singson said the reduced flood problem along España would only be realized if the Maypajo and Sunog Apog creeks are not clogged.

Not all creek dwellers refused to leave

Singson said not all illegal settlers living along the eight major waterways in Metro Manila refused to be relocated.

“There were those who voluntarily left their homes. But we could not force them to leave because of a ruling from the Commission on Elections,” he said.

He refused to name local government officials who reportedly pleaded to postpone the relocation of the illegal settlers.

“There was no specific person who approached me. But I know there were requests,” he said.

– With Evelyn Macairan