Mayor hits contractors’ excuse for slow work

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan spurned excuses given by road project contractors over snail-paced condition of their work in the city saying they should suit up or face the axe.

“I disagree that it was the rains and the traffic that have been hampering their work,” said the mayor who has expressed dismay over the situation several times.

According to him, it is evident from a mere observation of the manner of their work that the problem lies on their system and work routine.

The mayor last July 13 wrote Baguio City District Engineering Office district engineer Alexander Castaneda asking for immediate remedial measures to speed up the completion of the project along Rimando Road and all others similarly situated.

He asked to do it “even to the extent of replacing the contractor to minimize the suffering and inconvenience of the public.”

“We said repeatedly that we support the implementation of said projects but it is too unfortunate that the implementation is done very slowly, roads are destroyed and no one is working.  The people cannot understand why this is happening..,” the mayor said.

Two contractors were invited by the city council last week to explain their dragging projects and the representatives attributed the delays to the bad weather and traffic condition in the area.

Based on the information gathered during the dialogue, the city council committee on public works under Councilor Faustino Olowan is expected to come up with its recommendation within 15 days.

“I hope they will do something now because the situation is very chaotic and people thought it was my fault,” the mayor said.

The mayor from the start had asked the Dept. of Public Works and Highways to ensure that their chosen contractors will fast-track or will be methodical in implementing the projects to minimize the traffic discomfort borne by motorists.

The mayor even met with the DPWH Baguio City District Engineering Office and the contractors during a meeting of the Traffic and Transportation Management Committee (TTMC), the Department of Public Works and Highways - Baguio City District Engineer's Office where they agreed that all contractors will work on the projects on a 24-hour basis with three shifts.

This agreement apparently was not being followed as many construction sites can be seen without working men.