The chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) first district engineering office said on Monday that the construction of a portion of the national road in Cortes town has been delayed but was not abandoned.
Work on the road segment located in Brgy. Salvador has been hampered by continued rains, said Engr. Antonio Flores amid flak from motorists and netizens on the constantly flooded and muddy path.
According to Flores, the project completion is expected to last longer than regular road works as the path is being raised.
This measure was designed to keep water from the Abatan River from overflowing into the road, he said.
Flores noted that with favorable weather conditions, construction can resume and smoothly progress.
For his part, Gov. Edgar Chatto called on the DPWH particularly the department’s regional office to take action on the mounting complaints against the purported slow progression of the construction which started December.
Chatto urged the DPWH to explain to the public the reason for the delay and to announce the expected completion date.
Earlier, netizens raised their concern over the seemingly lagging work on the road pinpointing the mud and water that fill the under-construction road when rains pour and dust that abound during dry days.
One netizen said that the unfinished road also posed danger to motorists.
“Luoy kaayo mag motor padung work, lawm naay nyay ma aksidente, mamatay. Kanus-a pa lihokon nila,” said Rerose Arabejo in a complaint sent to the Chronicle. (A. Doydora)