Revilla to DPWH: Don't blame Tullahan bridge delay on the rain

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials tasked to oversee the reconstruction of the Tullahan Bridge are taking the public on a ride as they pass the buck to the rains and other factors over the delayed completion of the said bridge, said Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.

Revilla was reacting at the reported re-closure of the Tullahan Bridge even as he urged DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to hold accountable the top officials of the DPWH-NCR for the blunder.

According to the senator, DPWH-NCR Director Josefino Rigor and Assistant Regional Director Angelito Twaño should be held accountable for the repeated delay in the completion of the P63-million bridge.

"They are making so many excuses. They should not blame the delay on the weather. Blame it on themselves," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Last August 21, Revilla made an on-site inspection on the Tullahan Bridge and pointed out numerous flaws in its design and construction, particularly that its foundations were not buried deep enough, contrary to project specifications.

Despite the claims and reassurances of Twaño and Rigor at that time that the bridge will be opened between the last week of September and mid-October, Revilla already expressed serious doubts due to the large volume of work remaining and his observations regarding the bridge's design.

The senator now claims that the re-closure of Tullahan after only 24 hours of being open to public use, bolsters his doubts on the bridge's integrity and manner of construction.

Based on news reports, Twaño said the temporary closure of the bridge will allow workers to finish asphalting the base of the bridge in the next two days.