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[av_heading heading=’ SP GETS IMPATIENT | ‘Slowpoke DPWH contractors must be penalized’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Wednesday, June 7, 2017
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ILOILO City – Delays in the completion of public infrastructure projects are taxing the patience of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
Slowpoke contractors must be penalized, according to Councilor R Leone Gerochi, chairperson of the city council’s committee on public works.
“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) appears not keen on disciplining its contractors for whatever reasons I don’t know,” said Gerochi yesterday.
He urged colleagues in the city council to craft legislation that would hold contractors accountable for delayed projects.
“The city government has to do something to discourage these delays, most especially sa pag-construct sang mga dalanon. Enough of this public inconvenience,” said Gerochi.
He cited as example DPWH’s drainage project on General Luna and Jalandoni streets in the City Proper. The contractor is Sargasso Construction and Development Corp.
That area should have been reopened to traffic on May 26 yet after a month of closure but the project remains unfinished.
“If there are delays in DPWH projects, we ourselves will take its contractors to task,” said Gerochi.
In early April, the SP agreed to pass an ordinance temporarily closing a portion of General Luna and Jalandoni streets from April 26 to May 26 for DPWH’s P100-million drainage project that aims to address the perennial flooding in the City Proper.
“They did not honor their commitment to the city government,” Gerochi lamented.
The SP also agreed to temporarily close until the end of July this year two lanes of Jalandoni Street (beside the University of San Agustin) from corner Delgado Street up to corner General Luna Street also for the drainage project.
For starters, Gerochi urged the SP to pass a resolution seeking information from DPWH on the following:
* the ongoing projects it has in the city
* its projects in the city last year
* how many of these projects have been completed on time
* how many of these projects were completed beyond the timeframe allotted
* did the contractors pay DPWH the penalties for the delays
Reacting to Gerochi’s move, DPWH assistant regional director Engr. Al Fruto said he would check with Sargasso the status of the drainage project on General Luna and Jalandoni streets.
He denied going easy on the contractor.
“Wala man kami nagkulang sa pag-remind and compel the contractor to bolster its workforce,” said Fruto.
Last week, Fruto said, DWPH sent a notice to Sargasso Construction, calling the contractor’s attention to its negative slippage” or delays.
“We’re focused on this drainage project because it is situated on major thoroughfares,” said Fruto.
He attributed the delay to the deficient manpower and equipment of Sargasso Construction.
Even the working hours of the contractor needed improvement, said Fruto.
The DPWH official said they will ask the SP to extend the period of closure of General Luna and Jalandoni streets.
“We appeal for more patience from our road users. Give us more time to complete the project,” said Fruto./PN
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