00:00 The Department of Public Works and Highways pleads anew for additional allocation next year
00:05 for rehabilitation of national roads and other structures.
00:09 The agency is also eyeing for strict implementation of anti-overloading against delinquent motorists.
00:16 Karen Villanda tells us more in this report.
00:19 Potholes and puddles on national roads.
00:24 These were the issues tackled during the budget hearing of the Department of Public Works and Highways
00:29 today on the House Committee of Appropriations.
00:32 More specifically, the Daang Harleka Road in Samar.
00:35 According to the DPWH, they wish to rehabilitate every national road
00:40 but they don't have enough budget for the road maintenance, especially budget cuts every year.
00:45 Just like this year, they asked for a P14.61 billion budget for the road maintenance
00:50 but only P1.82 billion or 12.45% was approved in their General Appropriations Act.
00:58 I'd like to make mention that the condition of the roads in Samar
01:03 is just what the result of the low maintenance allocation that we have had in the department.
01:08 And this is what we are trying to overcome.
01:12 On their proposed budget for 2024, they again proposed a P14.61 billion budget
01:18 for the maintenance of national roads and other structures.
01:22 In addition to engineering works, the DPWH asked for the strict implementation of anti-overloading.
01:29 We have to look into also the configuration of the new trucks that are coming in into the Philippines.
01:40 Right now, Your Honor, in the Philippines, 13.5 tons per axle, Your Honor.
01:48 I believe this is the highest in the world.
01:52 This is one of the highest in the world, actually.
01:55 13 for the permissible axle load limit.
01:58 Moreover, the solution for the flooded areas in the country has also been tackled.
02:03 Does the Department of Public Works and Highway have no more systematic, more efficient engineering design
02:14 for flood control?
02:16 Because you know, in Europe, for example in New Zealand,
02:20 they have what they call a catch basin on the road.
02:25 When it rains, all the water goes there.
02:28 Representative Castro said that dredging and silting doesn't help to solve the problem of flooding in the country.
02:35 The DPWH has said that two projects that were closed on the recent Philippine-Japan high-level meeting in Tokyo
02:42 are flood control projects.
02:43 But aside from constructing a water impound, the DPWH said that dredging and silting is a must.
02:50 At the rate, Your Honor, we have observed that for the last 15 years,
02:55 there has not been any silting or dredging operations that have been done in the major rivers, actually.
03:01 And this is why the riverbeds are very shallow.
03:17 Due to the complaints on roadworks and flood control programs,
03:20 Northern Samoa Representative Paul Ruiz Daza moved for no cuts on the budget for road maintenance and core projects of the DPWH.
03:29 The total core program is $139 billion, $25 billion for MOE and maintenance, totaling $164 billion.
03:39 So I move, Mr. Chair, that these funds, as I just articulated,
03:46 shall not be reduced by the committee and appropriations.
03:51 So moved, Mr. Chair.
03:53 So there's the motion. We take note of that motion.
03:59 I second, Mr. Chairman.
04:01 The hearing was suspended for the meantime, but the committee agreed with Daza.
04:05 Karen Villanda for the Nation.
