CABANATUAN CITY – Workers on a road re-blocking projects in a section of Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bangad here have to endure more than the sun burn and sudden rainfalls – badmouthing by irate commuters.
Jun, a laborer, admitted being hurt when they hear unsavory words from motorists stuck for 30 minutes or so in traffic during rush hours as they conduct the repair of portions of the newly re-blocked road, also known as Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road.
“Pero ano po ang magagawa namin, kagagawan ito ng ibang foreman,” Jun said, noting that examiners from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have marked “R” or rejected several sections of the road pavement project reportedly undertaken by a certain “ICR” Construction.
A vegetable dealer from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija noted that commuters had suffered much for about four months from the monstrous traffic due to the re-blocking activities on the road that spans from Barangay Pangad to Barangay Cabu or some six kilometers until August when it was finally opened.
“Pero eto, na naman, halos isang buwan pa lang ay naghuhukay na naman sila,” he said. Motorists, like Ricardo, lamented that the DPWH apparently failed to effectively monitor the progress of the road construction. It was part of the P35.5-million undertaking along NE-Aurora Road that links Nueva Ecija and Aurora provinces.
“Perwisyo sa trabaho at gastos ang ganitong paulit- ulit na trabaho kaya sana binabantayan ng gobyerno ang ginagawa ng kontratista,” he added. Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara said his office has been flooded with complaints regarding the re-blocking.
He earlier called the attention of the Nueva Ecija 2nd Engineering District (NEED-2) to address commuters’ concerns even as he asked for complete program of action. No one at the NEED-2 could answer queries on the issue as of press time.
