LEGAZPI CITY—In a dialogue between with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Albay 1st District Engineering Office and public village officials from Bacacay and Malilipot towns, Albay Rep. Krisel Lagman and Gov. Noel Rosal asked for explanations on the status of projects in the district.
Rosal’s visit to project sites sparked issues last week when supposed “completed” projects were found out to be lacking infrastructures.
However, DPWH clarified that road constructions have three levels: road opening, road concreting, and road rehabilitation. The project “Construction of Cabasan-Pongco-Bonga-Uson Road,” as it appeared on the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) was therefore, not a “ghost project,” Lagman said.
“Alam niyo naman na ang contractor nito ay yung nag-insert din nito. Sabi ni [Gov. Rosal] kanina, ‘Sino nag-insert niyan?’ Of course hindi alam ng DPWH kung sino pero pwede niyo na ma-connect the dots. Kung sino yung contractor, palagay ko, siya rin ang naglagay sa GAA nito,” Lagman said without mentioning Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co. “Remember, nung 2022, siya na ang (Appropriations) chairman.”
Co was the chair of the House Appropriations Committee from July 2022 until January this year.
Lagman said that the projects in Bacacay, Malilipot, and the circumferential road around Mayon Volcano were only left after road openings.
“Connect the dots. Nata gusto ninda na road opening sana? Nata ta dae ninda pinondohan su mga subsequent na para maabot su end product?” Lagman said. “Ang mangyayari kaiyan ang gusto ninda, ipapasa ninda sa iba ang pagpagibo kang construction kang concrete road.”
Turning to Rosal, Lagman said, “Ngunian, gob, pasensya ka ta kita ngunian ang nakatukaw. Ini gabos na problemang nahiling mo, siguradong dae na man ninda yan babalikan na.”
Speaking to the media after the dialogue, Rosal said that Co must be given the time to answer to allegations made against him.
“Ngayon, nakatutok lang sakanya lahat. Remember, we have also to give him the chance… Ang importante, ma-relay niya naman yung side niya,” Rosal said to the media.
Rosal said that issues we raised during Friday’s dialogue, particularly the allocation of funds, especially the insertions, are what’s really concerning.
He said that since insertions “are not planned,” they are not priority projects.
“Kapag insertions kasi, walang planning yan. ‘Di yan dumaan sa Regional Development Council (RDC),” he said.
Insertions are budget proposals that emanate from either house of Congress (Senate or the House of Representatives) on top of the president’s proposal.
He also said that they will look into why there are four to six lanes in areas where there supposedly need for bigger roads.
On Friday, Sept. 26, Rosal and Lagman will again have a dialogue with the regional office of DPWH and the Commission on Audit (COA).
