Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte hit the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) anew and called the agency “incompetent.”
This is concerning the non-functioning streetlights on the Davao Coastal Bypass Road.
During episode 4 of “Basta Dabawenyo”, Duterte clarified that the issue with non-functioning streetlights on the coastal road is under the DPWH’s jurisdiction.
The mayor explained that the DPWH, a national agency, handles major roadways like coastal roads, including streetlights, while the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) manages interior and barangay roads.
“DPWH lang gihapon. Unya akoa na pud sala? Kinahanglan mo makahibaw na naa tay national ug local government. So naay mga ahensiya sa gobyerno pareha anang DPWH. DPWH is a national agency. Kaning atoa, City Engineers, so naa pud ta’y mga kalsadang ginahimo sama sa mga interior kay usually pag highways o high traffic na mga roadways, sa DPWH gyud na siya. Mga barangay roads atoa na, usually. Kinahanglan makasabot ang tao ani, nga naa ta’y national ug naa ta’y local. Pareha ani streetlights, paghimo sa coastal roads, naa na dinha daan. DPWH na. Sila’y nagbutang ana, ilaha lang gihapon na,” Duterte said.
Duterte emphasized the division of responsibilities between national and local governments.
“So, you see I told you (DPWH), you are incompetent. Wala ko’y labot, dili mo mauwaw ba. Kana ganing mapalpak mo, di mo mauwaw. Dili mo mauwaw mubungkag ug dalan,” he said.
In March this year, Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of DPWH 11, raised concern about the prevalence of streetlamp theft along the Davao City Bypass Coastal Road.
He said half of the number of streetlights along the coastal road are non-operational due to stolen wires or cables.
He said theft has been a prevalent problem since the department implemented the Davao City Coastal project in 2017.
Ortiz also said that DPWH 11 has this on record with the concerned police stations.
