Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte took another swing at the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) over inefficient road construction projects in Davao City.
The mayor cited several instances, particularly in Barangay Mintal, Tugbok District where roads that are still in good condition are being dug up and reconstructed.
“Kining trabaho sa DPWH ba kanang mamungkag gani ug dalan, tarong pa kaayo. Dinha sa Mintal kanang eskwelahan, binuang man na. Daghan man untag dalan na puwede sementuhon, katong wala pa na semento,” the mayor said in his message During the Araw ng Barangay Ula, Tugbok District in Davao City on Thursday.
The mayor emphasized that there are many unpaved and damaged roads across Davao City, particularly in far-flung areas like Marilog, and Paquibato Districts, that need immediate attention.
This, according to the mayor, is a waste of public funds and resources. He said that instead of focusing on these critical areas, the DPWH is prioritizing unnecessary projects, causing inconvenience to the public and failing to address the real needs of the community.
“Dako man ang Davao, kung dili diri Third District, naa pa dinha sa Marilog, Paquibato. Okay pa ang dalan, manghasol gyud ug tawo ba. Kay para lang makapanaog sila ug proyekto, magamit lang nila ang kuwarta para mabayad lang nila sa ilang mga contractors, mamungkag sila ug duol lang,” he said.
In March this year, Duterte called out DPWH and aligned agencies as well as private contractors to coordinate with the City Transport and Traffic Management Board (CTTMB) in conducting road projects in Davao City.
This developed after the mayor noticed that passable roads in the city that were still in good condition were being excavated.
In April this year, some officials from DPWH 11 appeared during the session of the City Council at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
Last month, the city government of Davao reiterated to DPWH 11 to prioritize the repair of damaged roads in Davao City and the construction of new road networks instead of destroying roads that are still in good condition.
