Go: Stop wasteful and unnecessary road demolitions

Local

TIRED of watching smooth roads get bulldozed only to leave drivers in gridlock?

Cebu City Councilor Harold Kendrick Go is moving to stop what he calls wasteful and unnecessary road demolitions.

Go has proposed a resolution urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its contractors to “refrain from demolishing or excavating roads that are still in good condition unless justified by engineering necessity.”

The proposal will be taken up in the City Council’s September 10 regular session.

The measure also directs DPWH to strictly coordinate with the city government before breaking ground and to submit a comprehensive report on all ongoing and pending roadworks in Cebu City, including project scope, contractors, and timelines.

“The Sangguniang Panlungsod finds it imperative to call on DPWH to justify, review, and report on all ongoing and planned road works within Cebu City, particularly those that affect roads which remain in good and serviceable condition," the resolution reads.

According to Go, the needless excavation of serviceable roads causes three major setbacks: it creates gridlock for thousands of commuters every day, disrupts the economic activities of businesses and workers, and results in wasted public funds that could be better allocated to essential services such as education, health, drainage, and flood control.

“Proper coordination between DPWH and the Cebu City Government is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency,” the resolution added.

Earlier, Mayor Nestor Archival proposed requiring contractors to sign undertakings that bind them to complete their projects on time, or pay penalties directly to the city if they fall short.

“The idea is fairness kung mo-promise sila, humanon nila, ug kung dili, bayad sila,” Archival told reporters.

The mayor also ordered a halt on P751 million worth of flood projects until DPWH agrees to closer coordination with City Hall.(TGP)