MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that seeks the abolition of the Road Board, which he described as the “milking cow of corrupt government officials.”
The measure was signed last March 8 but was only made public on Tuesday.
The Road Board’s functions will return to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said Duterte.
“I’ve always been wary about this office because it has been the milking cow of people who are corrupt in government,” Duterte said before. “Ever since, I’ve really questioned the existence of this office. It’s nothing but a depository of money and for corruption.”
The House of Representatives, under the leadership of former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, approved a bill abolishing the Road Board, which was later adopted by the Senate.
On Sept. 12, 2018, the House – under Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – rescinded such approval.
The Road Board oversees funds collected from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge solely for road maintenance and drainage improvement, the installation of traffic lights and road safety devices, and monitoring air pollution./PN
