The Wrath of Milenyo

LEGAZPI CITY—The Department of Budget and Management has released to the Department of Public Works and Highways P1.2 billion for the rehabilitation and repair of flood control structures, roads, bridges, government buildings and other facilities damaged by typhoons “Milenyo,” “Reming” and “Seniang” that hit the Bicol Region late 2006.

The fund, in turn, has been distributed to the different engineering districts, according to DPWH regional director Orlando C. Roces.

The P1.2-billion rehabilitation fund for public works was part of the P10 billion fund included in the General Appropriations Act of 2007 or R.A. 9401 under the Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Effort (Care) to typhoon victims under the calamity fund.

The inclusion of the P10-billion rehabilitation in the national budget for 2007 was made possible through the efforts of re-electionist Senator Joker Arroyo.

Roces immediately ordered the bidding out of several flood control, bridge and road rehabilitation projects.

Up for bidding are the restoration of the boulder dike with concrete facing of the Yawa river portion, near the La Playa Village and Aquinas University (Legazpi City), P40.5 million; rehabilitation of the boulder dike with concrete facing of the Yawa river portion in Tagas, Daraga, Albay, P43.9 million; restoration/rehabilitation of dike along the Yawa River at the Culiat, Daraga Section, P48.2 million; restoration/rehabilitation of boulder dike with concrete facing and spillway of the Yawa River in the Malabog-Busay section leading to the Cagsawa National Park, P48.4 million; and the restoration/rehabilitation of dike along the Binitayan-Maninila portion of the Yawa River, P48.2 million.

Also scheduled for bidding are the repair/improvement of damaged bridge approach in Ligao City, P24.1 million; repair/rehabilitation of bank revetment in Travesia, Guinobatan, Albay, P48.2 million; and repair/restoration of the damaged road pavement of Polangui-Nasisi Road, P28.9 million.

The deadline for the receipt of bids is at 10 a.m. on June 6, after which the bids will be opened.

In announcing the scheduled release of the rehabilitation fund, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. asked Bicolanos to closely monitor the implementation of the rehabilitation projects to ensure that government funds would not go to waste.

This, after some residents affected by the lahar flows during Typhoon “Reming” expressed fear that they would suffer the same fate if the rehabilitation projects, especially flood control ones, would not be properly implemented.

Key sectors in Bicol have asked concerned government agencies not to allow themselves to be influenced by politicians on the use of the rehabilitation fund, especially for election purposes.