Ecija SP investigates asphalt road ‘scam’

CABANATUAN CITY– The Sangguniang Panlalawigan startesd an investigation on complaints that portions of newly paved asphalt roads along the national highway from San Jose City to this city have been pulverized days after they were completed in what is being called an “asphalt road scam.”

The SP, headed by Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson, summoned Ramiro Cruz and Ulysses Llado, district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ first and second engineering districts, respectively, to shed light on the damaged asphalt roads amid suspicions substandard materials were used in their construction.

The SP investigation was prompted by pro-Lakas-CMD board member Joseph Ortiz who sought a legislative inquiry into the damaged road projects along the Maharlika Highway starting in San Jose farther down south in this city.

Ortiz said it was puzzling how a national road paved with asphalt only recently would end up like powdered sand. “Parang hinugasang buhangin (It looks like washed sand),” he said. He showed to local newsmen a portion of the damaged asphalted road in Barangay Caanawan in San Jose City.

Another portion of the asphalted road which suffered severe damage was a 200-meter stretch of the national highway fronting the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital in Barangay Bitas here.
The road forms part of the P28-million, one-kilometer road network stretching from Araullo University-Valdefuente stretch. Its construction started in March.

Ortiz said if not repaired immediately, the damaged road stretches could cause accidents, particularly among motorcycle riders.

Second district Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, whose congressional district includes San Jose, said asphalt materials being produced in the province are of inferior quality compared to those coming from Pampanga.

He said he already called the attention of the DPWH on the fact that asphalted roads in Nueva Ecija melt easily because the materials used lack quality.
Ramiro Cruz, DPWH district engineer for northern Nueva Ecija which covers San Jose City said that there was no irregularity in the construction of the asphalted roads.

He said the DPWH is in the process of repairing the damage by patching the potholes with the help of the Manila-based contractor.

Cruz said it would be inappropriate to raise suspicions of wrongdoings in the asphalt road project since the road was also damaged by typhoon Kiko.

“In fact, this problem of asphalt roads being damaged is a nationwide problem, especially with the occurrence of typhoons,” he said.

Ulysses Llado, DPWH district engineer for southern Nueva Ecija, said the damaged road in Barangay Bitas is still covered by the one-year warranty period, meaning the contractor is bound by the contract to fix the damaged road. -- MG