Thursday, July 13, 2006
Senator wants public works function devolved to local governments
PUBLIC works would no longer be part of the mandate of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should a Senate bill seeking to devolve the responsibility to local government units (LGUs) gets Congress’ nod.
Senate Bill (SB) 1121 of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, which he also authored, to allow LGUs to directly control infrastructure projects.
“One of the major amendments to the Local Government Code I am proposing is that all public works projects intended for provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays should already be handled by local government officials,” he said.
Under the bill, the funds for public works such as construction and repair of roads, bridges and water supply will no longer be under the control of the DPWH but of LGUs.
The construction, repair and rehabilitation of public works within the barangays will be the sole responsibility of barangay officials whose present function when it comes to public works is only their maintenance.
Cities and municipalities will take over the implementation and maintenance of infrastructure facilities funded either by the local or provincial government. They will also undertake wharves and reclamation projects and acquire land for tourism purposes.
For provinces, they will now be responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects like national roads, bridges and ports funded by National Government.
Pimentel noted that DPWH lacks sophisticated construction equipment unlike some LGUs, particularly first and second class cities and municipalities.
The DPWH also allows the subcontracting of public works to private engineering firms, which often results in substandard projects.
“If that is the way DPWH discharges its functions, it may be better to abolish the DPWH and let its functions be transferred to the local government units,” Pimentel said. (REC/Sunnex)
(July 13, 2006 issue)
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