Pimentel questions DPWH over road repair projects

MANILA, Philippines - Ever wondered why there are so many roads being repaired these days?

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III has also noticed these “repairs,” including those of roads that appear to be in good condition, and wants answers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Pimentel expressed concern that a lot of the road repair projects being undertaken by the DPWH right now may be unnecessary and that the department should prioritize the roads damaged by previous typhoons.

According to Pimentel, his office has received numerous reports from commuters and motorists about the supposedly indiscriminate road repairs being undertaken by the DPWH in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

“It is indeed puzzling why roads in perfect condition are being subjected to maintenance and improvement works while those damaged by Sendong have been neglected for months. Why do we have to rebuild good roads while other places do not even have roads at all?” Pimentel said.

“If these ongoing road repairs are indeed part of the so-called programmed works, the DPWH should go back to its drawing board and review its priorities. Prudence and judicious use of public funds dictate that we set our priorities right,” he added.

Pimentel said that he would also ask Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who sits as chairman of the Road Board, to account for the use of the multi-billion peso revenues collected from the motor vehicle users’ charge (MVUC), also known as the road user’s tax.

He noted that the collections from the road user’s tax are deposited in four special trust accounts for the road maintenance projects namely the Special Road Support Fund, 80 percent; Special Local Road Fund, five percent; Special Road Safety Fund, 7.5 percent; and the Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund, 7.5 percent.

Pimentel said that he would not hesitate to call for the abolition of the Road Board if it fails to account in full the revenues from the road user’s tax.

He aired his suspicion that the Road Board, with its control over the road user’s tax revenues, has become a milking cow for some unscrupulous officials.

Meanwhile, the DPWH said in a statement yesterday that it is scheduled to conduct 20 road repair projects along major roads this weekend and motorists should expect traffic jams in the vicinity of the road works.

The DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) said it will work at various points along EDSA, Osmeña Highway, Aurora Boulevard, New Panaderos street, Pasong Tamo Avenue, Regalado, North Fairview Avenue, Road 10, Araneta Avenue, N. Domingo street, 15th Avenue, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, C-4 Road, Daang Mahar­lika and near the Welcome Rotunda.

– With Evelyn Macairan