Senators have pointed out in the budget hearing of the Department of Energy (DOE) that electric posts are becoming obstructions in roads and widening projects.
“Pumunta ka lang ngayon sa Maynila hanggang sa Tagaytay (If you travel from Manila to Tagaytay), you will see widened roads not completed with huge gaps because of electric posts or if it is completed you cannot pass through it because the electric posts stand in the middle of the widened road,” Sen. Franklin Drilon pointed out.
“Naging permission to encroach. Lahat may sala set sa lahat, may paninda sa harap (It has become a permission to encroach. Eeverybody has living room sets and merchandise in front),” Sen. Imee Marcos added.
National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Edgardo Masongsong responded this is now being addressed through a “joint circular between the DPWH and DOE for the pole relocation, with DPWH providing the funds”.
Data from the NEA show that 63,000 posts nationwide are in need of relocation, and 31,100 of those are in Luzon. A Php 4-billion budget is needed for the undertaking.
“Out of that 4 billion amount of project that we identified, only 180 million were paid… There are 30 million worth of compensation na wala pa ring compensation from DPWH (There are 30 million worth of compensation that have not yet been given by the DPWH),” NEA Dep. Admin. Artis Nikki Tortola disclosed.
Tortola added the “DPWH conceded that there is no funding” and no available funds for the relocation.”
The DPWH has not yet issued a comment on the matter.
– Report from Eunice Samonte
