The City Council has invited the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to shed light on the ongoing repairs of passable highways in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.
Councilor Karissa Tolentino Maxino moved to pass a resolution asking the DPWH to explain the fixing of the road.
During last week’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panlunsod, Councilor Jose “Petit” Baldado expressed disgust at seeing good and passable roads being destroyed and repaired when the money could have been used to cement other roads that are still dirt roads.
“It is a waste of money, the highest form of stupidity!” Baldado said.
Baldado said the money could be used to fund health programs and it pains him to see these roads being dug up.
He said that in Negros Occidental, leaders of local government units were able to stop similar projects and said he hopes our local leaders can do the same.
Councilor Agustin Miguel Perdices said that the DPWH should consult LGUs first before repairing highways or Congress should allow DPWH funds to be spent on local roads.
Councilor JV Imbo, a dentist by profession, likened the ongoing road repairs to the work of a dentist. He said that dentists are sometimes criticized for removing tooth fillings and replacing them. “Only dentists can determine whether the filling in the tooth needs to be replaced because the patients do not know what is underneath the filling,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said he supports the move to invite the DPWH to explain these projects.
Councilor Tolentino-Maxino said her common understanding of repairing damaged roads is that these repairs should only be done on the damaged portion and not the entire road.
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Photo Caption: Road repairs along E.J. Blanco Drive and other roads in Negros Oriental have caused the City Council to invite the Department of Public Works and Highways to their next regular session to explain why seemingly good and passable roads have to be dug up and repaired. (Photo by Alex Pal)
