DPWH to conduct inventory of delayed infra projects

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Region is set to conduct an inventory of all delayed projects in the regions.

"I am giving DPWH to tell the contractors to complete it within 30 days. Pag-hindi, I will give it to another contractor, cancel the contract and sue you. I will only allow a delay of one month," President Rodrigo Duterte said during a press briefing at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao City, on January 27, after his state visit to India last week.

DPWH-Davao information officer Dean Ortiz told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that after the conduct of the inventory of delayed projects, the agency will gather all concerned contractors and discuss with them what needs to be done, identify issues causing the delay, and find solutions to these.

"Most of the issue are on the road right-of-way (RROW). What we are doing as an agency is help expedite the negotiations," Ortiz said.

He said most ROW issues are on road widening projects in national highways.

"In road widening, you have to acquire space," Ortiz said, adding the contractors and the agency have to sit down and talk with all property owners who will be affected by the widening.

He said another issue when it comes to RROW is some affected property owners lack documents or identification for the processing of RROW.

Ortiz said the weather also needs to be factored during the construction phase. Heavy rains are known to delay projects.

He said security is also an issue as some contractors were extorted by lawless armed groups. However, Ortiz said, these are only minimal.

Duterte said, "I will remind everybody through the DILG (Department of Interior Local Government), through the mayors na there should be no open holes or canals everywhere. And I'm giving everybody in government only 30 days. Either they cancel the contract and allow somebody else."