DPWH creates committee for Road Board abolition

MANILA, Philippines — Almost a month after President Duterte signed the law abolishing the Road Board, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formed a turnover committee that will facilitate its phaseout. 

In a statement, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said he tapped DPWH Assistant Secretary Eduardo Ramos as committee head.

The committee will be responsible for preparing the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11239, which dismantles the board and requires the government to remit collection from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge to the National Treasury.

RA 11239 was signed into law by the President on March 8.

“This committee will be in charge with coordinating and facilitating the transfer of all records, property, assets, equipment and funds of the Road Board, including unexpended appropriations or allocations,” said Villar.

The committee will also decide on the Road Board employees.

The DPWH said the committee would evaluate the description of the existing permanent positions of Road Board and recommend, if necessary, the absorption of these employees and determine the particular office to which they will be assigned.

The DPWH secretary serves as the ex-officio chairman of the Road Board. The other ex-officio members of the board are the transportation secretary, budget secretary, finance secretary and three representatives from the private sector. 

Duterte signed RA 11239 believing that the Road Board has become a “milking cow” of corrupt officials.

Its abolition was one of the contentious issues that delayed the passage of the 2019 national budget.