‘There’s money to be made in breaking the roads, and there’s money to be made in fixing them again.’
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon discusses the reforms that he is pushing for the agency during a briefing at the DPWH Head Office on Friday morning which include the suspension of all road reblocking projects and citizen participatory audits.
Photograph by toto lozano for DAILY TRIBUNE
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the immediate, nationwide suspension of all road reblocking projects, citing concerns that the activities are being used as a source of corruption.
“Effectively now, I will be suspending all reblocking activities,” Dizon announced during a press conference Friday. “I will also issue a new department order on reblocking.”
Road reblocking involves tearing up and replacing portions of existing roads, often for maintenance. Dizon acknowledged growing public suspicion over the practice, particularly when seemingly undamaged roads are demolished and rebuilt.
“Why does the DPWH tear up roads that seem to be in good condition just to redo them? Well, in many cases, we probably already know the reason, because it’s being used for profit,” Dizon said.
“There’s money to be made in breaking the roads, and there’s money to be made in fixing them again,” he added.
The secretary clarified that the suspension does not cover ongoing maintenance work on roads that are genuinely damaged and require immediate repair.
Dizon cited questionable reblocking activities reported in Bocaue, Bulacan, and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, stating those incidents are currently under review.
The upcoming department order will include new safeguards to prevent the misuse of funds and eliminate opportunities for corruption in reblocking projects.
He also urged the public to report any road reblocking activities that continue despite the suspension, and warned that district engineers who violate the order will face disciplinary action.
Housing is probably the biggest issue affecting people the world over.
Malacañang on Monday called for a more thorough investigation into the questioned flood control projects in Taguig…
The defense on Monday backed the move by senator-judges to exclude a prosecution witness who testified on the firearms…
