THE news last week was that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) breezed through the budget hearing in congress and got a P686 billion budget for 2022. I intently read the news up to the last sentence hoping to find an item wherein an appropriation for the completion of the controversial Porac-Angeles flyover was there. There was a list of some funded projects, but for the flyover I saw none. Maybe there is an appropriation that wasn’t included in the report or maybe there is none.
As it is now, the flyover continues causing inconvenience to motorists and an embarrassment to the proponents. Those in the know are saying it was initiated by a senator whom you know who. The contractor, Leadway Construction, is explaining through signboards that as far as the company is concerned they have already completed two phases of the project. In case there will be funding next year, the flyover may be completed. I hope the bidding process will be more transparent.
Until today, I am somehow curious if DPWH officials monitored the flyover project. I didn’t see a tarpaulin informing the public about the project like how much its cost, name of contractor, start and day of its completion etc. etc. I pass through that stretch almost everyday and what I remember is there were no tarpaulins required by Republic Act 9184, the law on government procurement. The tarps should have been prominently displayed on both ends of the project. What was displayed initially was a large photograph of a smiling Senator Lito Lapid but was taken down a few days later.
I remember a local television channel featured in one of their public affairs programs the controversial flyover project because of the many complaints aired by thousands of motorists. (There are close to two thousand sand haulers passing daily through this road).
It was triggered by the claim that the project’s phases one and two were already completed. Heavy equipment and workers already pulled out. No more government funding in the project, it was claimed. Why they started it in the first place is so stupid, people are asking and wonder while scratching their heads and others gnashing their teeth. Is this true?
I have a source who told me that the contractor advanced his own money in prosecuting phase one and two including the standard operating procedure (SOP) to whoever. This I wasn’t able to confirm. Many don’t see a problem in that. (Others feel that this hellish SOP practice should stop). The problem lies in the fact that the huge posts are obstructing traffic flow in the area and causing a bumper to bumper situation.
On the funny side, some people are suggesting that they decorate those posts with Christmas decorations and place huge blinking parols. Para mapakinabangan naman. My sense is that these posts will remain there for many more years even if the budget will be made available. There will be larger controversy that will erupt once a bidding for its completion will take place.