Panguil Bay bridge deterioration probe urged

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Misamis Occidental governor Henry Oaminal has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct an investigation on possible irregularities committed by the constructors of the newly opened Panguil Bay on the deterioration of asphalt overlay that is causing concern among motorists in the province.

In a statement addressed to the people of Misamis Occidental and motorists released on Thursday, the governor said while  he worked hard to realize the bridge during his term as  congressman of the second district  the actual implementation of the project was managed by the DPWH.

He said the provincial government has no involvement in the implementation of the project and that the DPWH only coordinated with the LGU during the inauguration but not during the implementation of the project.

“The accountability of the damage asphalt falls under the accountability of the DPWH project management office, we are now bringing this matter to the attention of Secretary Manuel Bonoan for a thorough investigation,” he said.

According to the provincial engineering office which conducted an initial look, the deterioration of the asphalt was due to no adherence to the specification , specifically the omission of  SS- 1 tack coat which is necessary before applying the asphalt.

SS-1 is an anionic slow setting asphalt emulsion primarily used as a tack coat- typically providing that “lue” to bond an existing base pavement layer to a newly applied lay.

The governor also took exception to the claim by the project director that the asphalt damage was caused by the overloading of  vehicles crossing the bridge.

“I would like to emphasize that the Misamis Occidental aide in Tangub city is strictly monitored 24/7 throughout the bridge. It is impossible for a vehicle more than 30 tons to pass over the bridge as such vehicle would also cause damage to the national highway which is used by the overweight vehicles,” Oaminal said.

Earlier, Secretary Bonoan announced that DPWH is conducting a study for possible imposition of toll fee in passing the newly-opened Panguil Bay bridge  which cut travel time from Lanao del Norte to Misamis Occidental from 2 hours to just 7 minutes via RoRo (roll on roll) off vessels.