THE Iloilo City Council is studying a proposed ordinance that will penalize irresponsible contractors whose projects cause harm to the public.
Council committee on public works chairperson Ely Estante said he has set another committee hearing to deliberate with stakeholders the proposed ordinance of Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon.
Ganzon’s ordinance calls for holding contractors of construction sites in Iloilo City liable for damages to pedestrians, motorists, passengers, and bikers who are killed or maimed due to negligence or failure to observe road-work safety rules.
Ganzon said he has observed many contractors of road projects in the metro fail to install visible and adequate signage and traffic control devices at both ends of their projects in progress.
“In some construction sites, contractors have warning signs on their projects but fail to adequately illumine them at night causing accidents to motorists, who cannot see the warning signs due to absence of light,” he said.
Ganzon also noted “stockpiling materials and construction wastes along road sections during construction maintenance work pose risk and cause inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.”
“There are also contractors who in their negligence leave open excavations, diggings, open potholes and manholes on road constructions and repair without safety covers causing unwary pedestrians to fall and/or endanger motorists,” he said.
Ganzon said he is aware that these contractors are sanctioned by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Estante said the next public hearing is set next week. (PNA)