Road Dike Project in Oriental Mindoro Deemed Unfixable

MANILA, Philippines — Unlike the back-jobs in the Edsa rehabilitation project, which could be easily fixed by an asphalt overlay, the allegedly substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro—the subject of the graft case against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and other Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials—would require uprooting its steel. This was according to a source privy to the matter, who said that the road dike project in Oriental Mindoro was already "unfixable." "Hindi na yan maaayos. Kailangan ng uprooting ng bakal," the source said, referring to the steel bars used in the construction. This is unlike the Edsa rehabilitation project, which was marred by allegations of back-jobs, but was still fixable through an asphalt overlay. "Yung sa Edsa, ang problema lang ay back-jobs, pero okay pa yung kalsada. Dito sa Mindoro, yung mismong dike, hindi na maaayos," the source added. Co and several DPWH officials are facing graft charges for allegedly awarding the P80-million road dike project to a company with no prior experience in such undertakings. The project, which was supposed to be completed in 2022, has been plagued by delays and allegations of corruption. The source said that the substandard quality of the road dike project has raised concerns among locals, who fear that it may not withstand strong typhoons or heavy rains. "Marami nang residente ang nagrereklamo dahil mukhang hindi naman matibay yung dike. Paano kung bumagyo?" the source said. The graft case against Co and the DPWH officials is currently pending before the Ombudsman. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo