Why doesn’t the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) require contractors to install appropriate safety signage at all road projects? Motorists have noticed, there are no reflective signs, improvised or otherwise, which would allow drivers to see them at night. It would appear, DPWH needs a vehicle to drive into a canal before they decide to erect such signage.
Why is this happening? Is the agency ashamed to allow contractors to comply with safety procedures? Maybe agency officials don’t know what to do.
There are also the many overloading situations caused by trucks. Why is the DPWH not doing its jobs and monitoring these vehicles?
When Bayani Fernando was at the helm of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), contractors who failed to set up reflective and lighted equipment at project sites were monetarily penalized. Who would dare violate that order?
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Road widening projects are a result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program; unfortunately, the expanded roadways have only be used as parking for tricycles, private vehicles, trucks, and vendors – Filipino style of life. And the local government doesn’t even bother trying to protect law-abiding citizens.
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Congratulations to former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistance Secretary Art Boncato on his recent appointment as Department of Tourism (DOT) undersecretary. I first met him when he was an executive with the Marco Polo Hotel Davao and was then appointed DOT regional director for Davao (he would be later elevated to assistance secretary for Davao).
Boncato was de-listed from the DOT roster by former DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and was designated his DTI post.
He also served with the Department of Finance.
Under his new position, he will be handling concerns from regional directors.
I joked around earlier, telling him I nominated him for DOT secretary when Duterte took office.
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This column greets Michael Trani, Gen Sagayno, Fritz Manaloto, Vanni Teves, Neil Concepcion, Dianne Natividad, Stephen Alquiza, Chris Redulla, Raymund Quinto, and Linus Jimenez./WDJ