PB member blasts DPWH for prioritizing repaving of roads

Local

A PROVINCIAL lawmaker is questioning why concrete roads in southern Cebu are being repaved with asphalt, even as much-needed road widening projects remain on hold.

Cebu 2nd District Board Member Stanley Caminero said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is prioritizing overlay projects over expanding narrow highways in towns like Alcoy, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Oslob, Samboan, and Santander.

Caminero first raised the issue earlier this year, temporarily halting some works, but the DPWH has since resumed them.

“Ang sakit sa dughan ani kay gi-raise na man ni sa una, unya gipadayon gihapon karon,” Caminero said.

The ongoing repaving has forced motorists to share a single lane, creating heavy traffic that affects commuters, local businesses, and tourism.

The area is a gateway to Oslob, home of the world-famous whale sharks, which attract thousands of domestic and foreign visitors every year.

Traffic congestion in these towns can therefore have economic implications beyond daily commuting, impacting tourism revenues and local livelihoods.

Caminero contrasted the situation in the 2nd District with Cebu’s 1st District, where road widening in towns like Minglanilla, San Fernando, Carcar, and Sibonga has improved traffic flow and accessibility.

Residents in these areas enjoy wider, safer roads, while towns in the southern 2nd District remain limited to narrow two-lane highways.

When pressed about budget allocations for road expansion, DPWH officials could not provide clear answers.

Caminero suggested that overlay projects are favored because they are easier to implement and allow faster billing.

He noted that national highways that are already concrete can be measured and billed quickly under progress-based payment systems, making them administratively simpler than widening projects.

Caminero has requested that the OIC engineer for the 2nd District submit a full list of ongoing and planned projects.

The submissions will be reviewed by the Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Board Member Raymond Calderon, as part of efforts to monitor the allocation and use of public funds.

According to the DPWH Central Visayas’ Fiscal Year 2026 National Expenditure Program, the 2nd District received no funds for flood control despite having 106 proposed projects worth roughly P1.2 billion.

Flood-control projects are considered crucial in southern Cebu, where heavy rains can lead to road closures, disrupt transportation, and affect both residents and tourists.

DPWH-7 has proposed a total of 796 projects across Cebu Province in 2026, with an overall budget of P26.53 billion.

These projects cover roads, bridges, drainage systems, seawalls, and other public infrastructure.

Nearly P5 billion is earmarked for flood-control and disaster-mitigation projects, reflecting Cebu’s vulnerability to typhoons and rising sea levels.

The largest portion of the budget falls under the Convergence and Special Support Program, which covers 554 projects worth P11.28 billion.

This includes road expansions, bridges, and other infrastructure that support tourism and local industries. Sixteen locally funded projects worth P432 million were also listed, though several areas, including Districts 1 and 6, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the 7th District, received no allocations.

National Road Projects (001) include 172 initiatives totaling P9.85 billion, with the 3rd District receiving the largest share and the 6th District the smallest.

Flood-control and disaster-related projects (002) include 54 proposals worth P4.95 billion, covering canals, seawalls, drainage systems, and revetments.

The 2nd District secured P475 million for six projects, while other districts received varying allocations, with some areas receiving none.(MyTVCebu)