Remember that pricey Luneta flagpole?

MANILA, Philippines - A year after drawing flak from netizens for its seemingly pricey construction, a government engineer said Thursday that the mechanized flagpole at the historic Luneta Park in Manila has been able to withstand several strong typhoons that have hit the country.

District Engineer Mikunug Macud of the South Manila District Engineering Office said the flagpole has been sturdily built to withstand gale winds during the typhoon season.

"Marami nang nagdaan na bagyo pero nakatayo pa rin naman. So far, wala pa namang problema tayo dun," Macud said.

The flagpole, which has a contract price of P7.8 million, was built in less than a month of construction in September last year.

He said that the parts and materials used in the structure has a lifetime warranty from the company in China.

Macud said that to appease angy netizens because of flagpole's contract price, he contacted them and asked for suggestions.

"Sinulatan ko sila at sabihin nila sa amin kung meron silang alam na mabibilhan," he said.

Related article: Netizens slam P7.8-M flagpole project in Luneta

Macud reiterated that the Luneta flagpole project was approved by the National Historical Institute and went through proper government procedures.

Aside from the imported steel of the flagpole, Macud said the Philippine flag could be raised manually or via mechanically moving parts.

"Halos dalawang beses lang naman nagagamit madalas yun tuwing Independence Day at Flag Day...so pwedeng itaas yung flag manually o kung gusto nila 'de pindot' kasi mechanical na 'yun" he said.

Macud also pointed out that the funds allocated for the project were not all spent on the construction. He said part of the funds went through the tax incentive for the importation of the materials used for the structure.

"So 'di mo naman pwedeng ilipat yung pondo kaya bumabalik ito sa Central Bank," he explained.