Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Monday, Sept. 3, questioned anew the unresolved right of way issues of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) ongoing road projects.
At the budget hearing of the DPWH, Mr. Lacson maintained that right of way issues should be settled first before funding an infrastructure project, citing Republic Act 10752 or the Right of Way Act. He said the simultaneous implementation of RoW payments and construction of infrastructure have caused delays and even suspension or abandonment of some public works projects.
“If that’s the case, then we’re not complying with the provisions of (RA) 10752 kasi maliwanag ang Right of Way Act (because the Right of Way Act is clear). Sinasabi (It says) the DPWH shall ensure that all RoW expenses are settled before commencement of projects. So we’re not complying with the law,” he said.
Mr. Lacson then cited the unresolved RoW issues of the P466.8 million bypass diversion road project in Sariaya, Quezon, which was suspended in 2016.
In an interview with reporters, Mr. Lacson said he may ask for the deletion once again of the RoW appropriations to the DPWH under the proposed 2019 budget. Under its budget, the DPWH has allocated around P16 billion for RoW settlement for various completed projects and RoW for ongoing and future projects.
In response, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said: “There are problems that arise ranging from permits to relocation of utilities… during the process these things are not necessarily anticipated at the time of planning. During the course of the implementation of these projects there are issues that arise that we don’t anticipate but nevertheless those were the causes for delays.” — Camille A. Aguinaldo

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