Public Works

As the schools started classes coupled by the onset of rainy season last June 2011, residents of this City and the nearby municipalities of Benguet were greatly disturbed by the daily traffic and delay it created. Concerned citizens, students, employees and businessmen urged the government agencies to investigate those who recommended the destruction of the good and newly constructed or still in good condition roads.

The rehabilitation projects by the DPWH are along the Bokawkan and the Loakan Roads. Daily commuters say that the styles of implementing these projects are a waste time and of taxpayers’ money. The Bokawkan and the Loakan projects are among the DPWH projects in the city worth P348 million.

A source in the local DPWH office explained that there is an annual budget for the maintenance of national roads or highways. Quality standards for national roads are a bit higher than provincial roads so it receives more attention especially from private contractors who watch out for these.

Most observers say that these projects were unnecessary to rehabilitate it now. Ever since the government started developing the roads, it seems there are no improvements since every time a road project is finished, rehabilitation is undertaken and seems coordination was evaded with the other agencies so that these projects should have been a onetime project. It is observed that after the rehab of these projects, one entity like a water utility will layout their projects within the said road. One would suspect that this is a means of a professional highway robbery.

On the asphalting of the cemented roads, this is again a waist of a taxpayer’s money. Since the road is already cemented, the destroyed portions should only be repaired. Asphalting in this highland city is not always favorable. Every time the highland roads are asphalted, it is easily destroyed because of the cool climate and the monsoon rains or typhoons that come yearly. The asphalt materials erode during the rainy season which clog canals and create siltation to waterways. The public works department should have noted this problem but are not keen to it much that they might loss livelihood which includes politicians, contractors, businessmen and fixers.

One concerned community leader commented on a local newspaper, wrote that it is senseless to destroy a good road. Common sense will let you realize that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

So as I travel along this road, I sing the song On the Road Again…sing it and you know it.