PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — THEY are not substandard.
Thus said Public Works and Highways 1st Leyte Engineering District Engineer Corazon Beringuel as she strongly denied that Leyte (1st District) Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s road project in Barangay Santol, San Miguel and his three-classroom undertakings in Barangays P. Barrantes and San Isidro in Alangalang are tainted with irregularities.
Beringuel, said the newly-paved road in Barangay Santol passed a series of inspections by the DPWH regional and central offices.
“The upgrading and rehabilitation of the 1.5-kilometer portion of the road in Barangay Santol �” was covered and completed in March 14, 2008,” said Beringuel. She added that the controversial road resurfacing project adjacent to Romualdez’s undertaking is under the congressional initiative of An Waray Party-list Rep. Florencio ‘Bem’ Noel. It was completed last April 18.
The adjacent projects are located along the same segment of the San Miguel-Babatngon road networks. Beringuel said both were in superior condition on completion.
Beringuel, however, explained that rains and heavy equipment passing through the road carrying materials for the construction of the P98 million Caray-Caray Bridge and P70 million Bagacay Bridge have damaged the project.
“The concrete portion of the road section is in good condition but the resurfaced area of another part was slightly damaged and it’s normal,” Beringuel explained.
Johnny Acosta, OIC-assistant District Engineer of the DPWH-1st LED assured the residents that the road projects are constantly being checked by San Miguel Mayor Proto Brazil.
Acosta said the teachers at Romualdez’s school project in Barangays P. Barrantes and San Isidro have testified that the newly-built classrooms are not defective. They also denied there are leaking roof and broken door knobs. The teachers also thanked Romualdez for his initiatives to make education accessible to poor Leyteños, Acosta added.
Meanwhile, DPWH-8 Regional Director Angelito M. Twano said claims of irregularities in Romualdez’s projects are mere “trumped-up stories.”
“Wala namang kinalaman si Cong. Romualdez sa mga nangyaring ito. Once the congressman has released the money to the DPWH, it is the responsibility of the DPWH to complete the project and see to it that the project is done in accordance with its plans and specifications,” Twano said.
The issue, he said, is only being “politicized” by some quarters.