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DPWH dialogue - Top DPWH Regional officials led Regional Director Orlando B. Roces (second from right, top photo) held a dialogue at the Tigaon DPWH office on Tuesday, March 20 to thresh out problems in the implementation of the Caramoan coastal road project. Director Roces was accompanied by (from right) Construction Division Chief Engr. Godofredo Beltran, Planning Division Chief Eduardo Talastas and Project Engineer Cris Gojar. Bishop Manolo A. de los Santos (second from left, above photo) led the panel of project initiators and beneficiaries which included (from left) Guijalo Parish Priest Fr. Joaquin Camano, CRANE Board Chairman Atty. Florencio Rosales and CRANE President Dominador C. Alarkon, Jr. ( Photos by Eddie Labao) |
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“If there are contractors who can bid much lower than what we have programmed, then we shall award the con- tract to them.”
This was the clear-cut answer of DPWH Regional Director Orlando B. Roces to the PENINSULA MONITOR query on why road opening costs in the Caramoan coastal road as programmed by DPWH appeared too high, some covering less than a kilometer but costing P20 million or more.
This developed even as Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte who has followed up with Malacañang the implementation of the project since 2005 urged Director Roces to make the road route accessible as soon as possible.
Director Roces made the statement Tuesday, March 20 during the dialogue at the DPWH 3rd Engineering District Office at Tigaon, Camarines Sur which he attended together with Engr. Eduardo Talastas, chief of the Planning Division, and Engr. Godofredo Beltran, chief of the Construction Division of the DPWH Regional Office in Legaspi City and Project Engineer Cris Gojar.
Also present at the dialogue sought by PENINSULA MONITOR was Most Rev. Manolo A. de los Santos, D.D., Bishop of Virac, who made representations with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo together with Bicol bishops for the continuance of the project. He joined the panel that included CRANE president and PENINSULA MONITOR editor Dominador Alarkon, Jr., who spearheaded the petition to the President endorsed by government leaders, CRANE chairman Atty. Florencio Rosales, Guijalo parish priest Fr. Joaquin Camano, and several barangay officials from barangay Bitaogan, Presentacion.
The response of Director Roces was interpreted to mean that the DPWH Regional Office maintains that the costing was in order.
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Tigaon dialogue - The conference with top DPWH officials and proponents of the Caramoan coastal road last Tuesday, March 20, was attended by representatives from the government and the private sector. It was a case of the participatory approach in development at work with the government side listening to recommendations of the people, especially target beneficiaries. |
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CRANE president Alarkon said it was enough that he had raised the issue and ventilated the doubts of many beneficiaries including engineers who believed the costs may be excessive and could hamper the completion of the crucial project. It is believed to be the costliest road opening project ever, he said.
The 21-kilometer Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road had been initially sought by CRANE to has - ten tourism development of Caramoan. It was supported by Catanduanes leaders in the hope that with the completion of the project the stalled RORO project linking Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes to San Vicente, Caramoan in 30 minutes could also be realized.
The Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road will shorten travel to Caramoan by more than an hour and skip the hazardous mountain road.
On the questionable road route near barangay Bitaogan, Director Roces agreed to dispatch a team to the site on March 27 to assess possible options.
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CRANE request - CRANE President Dominador C. Alarkon, Jr. last month requested DPWH Regional Director Orlando B. Roces the installation of guard rails at the Guijalo-Salvacion road in Caramoan, Camarines Sur because of perilous deep ravines on its sides. He also asked that repair and rehabilitation of the Guijalo-Bikal road and the Bikal-Tabgon road be hastened in time for Balik Caramoan 2007 festival from May 1 to 8. (Ruben Pendor) |
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