For ignoring provincial ordinance: Capitol to sue DPWH execs

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government is preparing to file charges against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Second District Engineering Office for allegedly failing to coordinate with the Capitol and disregarding a provincial ordinance in relation to a road concreting project in southern Cebu.

The Capitol is citing Provincial Ordinance 20213-02, which mandates that national government agencies coordinate with Cebu Province regarding the implementation of programs and projects within the province.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia expressed her frustration over the ongoing road concreting project by the DPWH Second Engineering District along the national highway in southern Cebu, particularly in Pugalo, Alcoy, Obong Dalaguete, and Cawayan Dalaguete. The project, she said, has led to severe traffic congestion and inconvenience to motorists due to delays in the cement pouring process.

Garcia noted that she has received multiple complaints from motorists who are forced to use a single lane alternately when traveling to and from the south.

"Kini, ilang giguba ang semento aron sementohon balik, basta naay pondo. Unya misemento ang entire 660 meters length, half lane," Garcia said, criticizing the methodology used by DPWH.

"Dapat putol-putolon na nimo aron dili taas ang hinuwat nga moagi sa pikas lane," she added, emphasizing that the project should have been implemented in sections to minimize traffic disruptions.

The governor said she previously asked DPWH to avoid cementing roads that are still in good condition and instead apply an asphalt overlay to areas with cracks. This approach, she argued, would cost less and prevent severe traffic congestion. However, the DPWH Second Engineering District proceeded with full road cementing.

"Pero ngano man? Ang concreting man gud, ang semento mao nay pinakadako nga item sa kontrata. Pinakadako nga mokolekta, madali og pangayo og koleksyon, koleksyon sa kontraktor ug ambot og kinsa pay laing mangolekta, mao na klaro diha," Garcia told reporters.

She lamented that the DPWH Second Engineering District “chose to violate” the provincial ordinance despite repeated warnings and reminders for its officials to coordinate with the Capitol.

"This ordinance is not a joke, the provincial board is not a joke," Garcia told DPWH Second Engineering District officials, led by Engineer Chymbelin Ibal, during a meeting at the Governor's Office on February 3.

Garcia stressed that the affected roads are crucial arteries in the south, accommodating hundreds of vehicles daily. She instructed the DPWH to apply a drying compound and improve the road shouldering.

"Pero ang inyong shouldering nga ibutang kay anapog ra man, inig ulan tangtang, hala kanang anapog sagoli og semento aron bagtok," she said.

She also directed that the half-lane width of 3.5 meters be expanded by an additional two meters.

"Ang kanang half-lane nga 3.5 (meters) pun-an og duha ka metros aron 5.35 (meters) na na, magkacross na na, magsugat ang duha (sakyanan) dili na kinahanglan usa ka kilometro maghinulat ang mga sakyanan samtang niagi sa pikas lane," Garcia stated.

The governor announced that she would inspect the project site on Saturday and expects to see significant improvements.

Also present at the meeting were DPWH 7 Bridges and Other Public Works Design Section Chief Engineer Emman Rey Quimson, along with board members Red Duterte and Raymond Calderon. — (FREEMAN)