ROXAS City – The drainage project along the national road in Barangay Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz was not abandoned by its contractor – it was only delayed, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Capiz 1st Engineering District chief Engineer Julius Abela apologized to residents for the four-month delay of the project.
Abela added that they have to redesign the drainage plan, considering the existing pipes of the town’s water district.
“Actually, wala ina gin-abandona sang contractor. Na-delay lang kay kinahanglan ta nga i-redesign ang drainage para likawan ang mga tubo sang water district,” Abela told Panay News.
Residents claimed that the project was abandoned by its Negros Occidental-based contractor Silver Dragon.
“Ang Silver Dragon amo ang contractor. Kinahanglan man ilisan ang mga materials para sa bag-o nga design,” Abela added.
Silver Dragon resumed working on the project on Monday. The scheduled deadline was supposed to be August.
But “my instruction was they have to finish the drainage project on or before Sept. 30,” said Abela.
Resident Cynthia Cruz said her neighbor Daisy Soriano was rushed to the hospital after she was attacked by asthma due to the foul odor coming from the open canal of the unfinished drainage system.
Cruz took it to Facebook, posting: “Worst contractor ever! [We] patiently waited for 4 months. [It] promised to come back after a week but they’re gone.”/PN
