House panel to begin probe on infra projects Sept. 2
Metro Manila, Philippines - A tri-panel in the House of Representatives will begin its investigation on alleged irregular infrastructure projects on Sept. 2, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Thursday, Aug. 28.
The House infrastructure committee is composed of the panels of good government and public accountability, public works and highways, and public accounts, which Ridon leads.
The committee has invited officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and top contractors that bagged most flood control projects.
“We will not be limited to flood control projects alone. So like what we had stated, kahit po ‘yung [even the] slope protection sa [in] Benguet can be covered by the infra comm, kahit po ‘yung [even the] problematic na mga tulay, halimbawa ‘yung sa [bridges like in] Cabagan, Isabela po,” Ridon said in a press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 28.
Ridon said the first hearing will tackle projects in Bulacan which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally saw as either non-existent ghost or substandard.
Subsequent hearings will invite Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who claimed that some lawmakers receive kickbacks from projects, as well as Abelardo Calalo, the DPWH district engineer who tried to bribe Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste.
Monitoring and maintenance
Meanwhile, Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante urged the DPWH to monitor and maintain projects to ensure these are in good condition.
He cited some projects in his district that were found damaged.
“Tingnan ng DPWH, ng MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), i-inspect nila ‘yung ganyang mga project para maiwasan na po natin ang pagbaha,” Abante said. “Kung gusto n’yong makipag-ugnay sa LGU (local government units), why not?”
[Translation: The DPWH and the MMDA should inspect the projects to avoid flooding. If they want to coordinate with the LGU, why not?]
The DPWH has been in hot water after consecutive storms in July caused widespread flooding across the country.
