Road rehabilitation linked to accidents

CEBU, Philippines - The occurrences of road accidents have been blamed on the ongoing road widening project in Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando in southern Cebu.

This prompted the Cebu Provincial Board to summon the officials of Pitalo and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) to a meeting.

Engineer Leslie Anthony Molina, district engineer of Cebu Second Engineering District of the DPWH-7, and other officials of the regional office were asked to explain the project, which is being attributed to road accidents in southern corridor.

The PB scheduled the meeting during its caucus session at 10:30 a.m. on August 29.

DWPH second engineering district is implementing the road widening project along the national highway in Barangay Pitalo.

“Reportedly, there occurred many road accidents within the area attributed to the ongoing road widening project, which the implementing agency should address for the safety of the public in general,” said Board Member Raul Bacaltos, who penned the measure.

Bacaltos, a lawyer by profession, said it is a well-entrenched state policy to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare.

He cited the general welfare clause of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) which mandates local government units to “exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied there from, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.”

Police Officer 3 Marjukin Misuari of the San Fernando Police Station told The FREEMAN that there are policemen assigned in the area to man the traffic, especially during weekends.

“Kasagaran mga dumbol kay traffic kaayo na lugara man gud kay naa’y extension sa karsada,” Misuari said.  (FREEMAN)