By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has suspended road reblocking activities nationwide until the issuance of a new Department Order (DO) that will set new guidelines as to the projects’ implementation.
In a press conference at the DPWH main office in Port Area, Manila on Friday, Secretary Vince Dizon said that they would first create new guidelines before resuming the projects.
“So effectively now I will be suspending all reblocking activities, I will suspend them and I will make a new DO on reblocking,” he said.
He added that he is wondering why roads that appear to be in good condition are being destroyed and rehabilitated.
“Why are there roads that are in good condition being torn down, destroyed, and then rebuilt? Well, I think we all know that there is money involved when one destroys a road and then rebuild it,” the DPWH chief continued.
During the press briefing, he also showed two projects in Bocaue, Bulacan and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, wherein the roads seem to be in good condition but are undergoing repairs.
“These road reblocking activities have been suspended,” Dizon said.
“So I want that to be clear and I want that in the form of a Department Order that is transparent, so that the people know why they are being destroyed, under construction or whatever, but for the meantime they are suspended,” he added.
The secretary noted, however, that exempted from the suspension are dilapidated roads that really need repair.
At the same time, Dizon called on the public to report to them through the DPWH’s social media platforms if they see any reblocking activities.
“Please report to us, and we will take action,” he added.
Dizon also said if district engineers would defy the suspension, “they have to face the consequences for not following orders.”
