Mayor at a loss

This is the nth time the Mayor expressed his frustration over the Bankerohan Bridge. Before it was about endless promises for the funds for its reconstruction. Now, its the same refrain ... promises when to start and end the construction.

Here is Ben O. Tesornia's Sunstar's story today:

Delay in Bankerohan bridge construction dismays mayor

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressed exasperation over the very much-delayed construction of the Bankerohan Bridge that was destroyed last year.

In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte held his hands up signifying his frustration for the said project that is being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

"Ambot kinsa'y akong pangutan-on ana. I'm really at a loss for an explanation. I simply do not know what's causing the delay," Duterte said.

The city mayor explained that the said project is being handled by the National Government and not the City Government since the said bridge is part of a national road.

He said the law prohibits the City Government to spend for projects under the National Government.

Duterte said until now he still has not seen any physical activity going on in the area contrary to statements of officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that the actual construction would start by December 2007 and end by May 2008.

Duterte said he already asked help from no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to fast track the bridge construction, but the President's order seems to fall on deaf ears.

Sun.Star Davao tried getting reaction from officials of the DPWH Southern Mindanao, but in vain.

And here is Edith Regalado's Philippine Star story also today:

Duterte to DPWH: Where’s the new bridge?

DAVAO CITY – City residents are asking where is the bridge that the national government promised to build in place of the old Generoso Bridge at the Bankerohan public market that collapsed in 2006.

“I am at a loss for words how to explain to the people how many times I have asked the national government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) about the construction of a new bridge. But still, until now, not a single work has been started,” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.

The Generoso Bridge, built in the 1950s, was considered a vital link connecting the downtown area to the southern parts of the city. It collapsed in 2006 due to wear and tear.

Duterte said President Arroyo, in a visit here last year, told him that the construction of the new bridge could be delayed to correct an alleged anomaly in the project.

“But until now, we are still waiting for the DPWH to work on the bridge,” Duterte said, citing earlier reported claims by the department that the project would be finished by April this year.

Duterte explained that there is a law that prohibits local government units to intervene in projects implemented on national roads and even on barangay roads.

“We do not have control over national roads and it so happened that the bridge is part of a national road and is supposed to be a national project,” he said.

Even if the city government has the money to construct a new bridge, Duterte said it still could not do so because of such a prohibition.

He said the city government could not proceed with its ongoing traffic signalization project because of an important connection that the new bridge would provide.

“The city could source out money on its own but the problem is the bridge is on a national road, hence, the DPWH should take care of it as the law provides,” he said.