By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Vince Dizon expressed dismay anew over some flood control projects in Bauang, La Union that were found to be “super substandard”.
During his inspection of nine projects in Barangay Acao on Tuesday, Dizon saw that the materials used for the infrastructure projects were substandard.
“Kinabit lang eh! Props lang,” he said in an interview.
The DPWH chief also discovered that one of the projects, reported as “completed” in March, is still under construction.
The projects include a flood mitigation structure along the Bauang River Basin (Phases 5 and 6).
Dizon was accompanied by Baguio City Mayor and Independent Commission for Infrastructure Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong.
The inspection was in compliance with the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to continue checking DPWH projects that are supposed to be for flood mitigation.
A number of such projects worth billions of pesos are mired in anomalies.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) pledged full cooperation in securing ongoing inspections of major flood-control projects led by the DPWH.
In a statement on Tuesday, acting PNP Chief PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that police units nationwide are ready to provide dedicated security as DPWH teams visit critical flood-mitigation sites.
“The entire Philippine National Police stands united behind the President’s call for transparent and accountable infrastructure development. Our primary duty is to safeguard the people and the projects that will protect our communities from flooding. While we are not experts in engineering, we are experts in ensuring safety and we will see to it that these inspections remain free from any threat,” said Nartatez.
He said this commitment is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for a transparent and accountable infrastructure development.
Nartatez added that regional and local police offices have been instructed to work closely with DPWH teams and local governments to guarantee smooth and secure site visits.
“We are one with the government in keeping these initiatives safe. Every flood-control project that shields our communities deserves full protection, and every PNP unit—from the national headquarters to the smallest station—is committed to that mission,” he said. (With reports from Lloyd Caliwan / PNA)
