Friday, June 06, 2008 Fix those bad roads: Lapu officials to DPWH
LAPU-LAPU City officials want the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to do something about dilapidated national roads that have been causing of accidents and traffic congestion in the city.
City Councilor Florito Pozon, chairman of the council’s infrastructure committee, drafted a resolution asking Mayor Arturo Radaza to set aside funds to solve the problem.
But Councilor Damian Gomez argued against it, saying it is better to invite DPWH officials to explain the problem. He said the city has many other priorities that also
need funding.
“People and the media are putting the blame on us not on DPWH because they obviously do not understand jurisdictional issue,” Pozon said during the council session last Wednesday.
Sun.Star Cebu received an e-mail from a resident about the problem. He mentioned potholes near the corner of Salvage Road and in front Babag National High School.
The national road stretches from the city’s public market in Barangay Poblacion to Cordova town.
Best revenue
“Government collects taxes and they are doing their best to get the best revenue. But… what (do) we get in return? Bad roads,” the letter said. The letter also mentioned the road accidents that were caused by the potholes.
One of these accidents involved a couple who fell from the motorcycle they were riding when the tires hit a pothole near the corner of Salvage Road.
The letter said the pothole is a feet and a half deep.
“This road is extremely damaged that it appears like a fishpond and not a road anymore,” the letter said.
But Gomez said they just have to inform DPWH about it because the city has other problems, including the repair of barangay roads.
The council approved his suggestion to invite DPWH officials to join them in the next session.
“I don’t think we have to burden ourselves of the responsibility of DPWH especially that the agency’s budget given by Mala-canang is bigger compared to ours,” he said. (AIV)
