APALIT, Pampanga – “Parang sungka, buwan,” then-Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman was famously quoted at the sight of the potholed waterlogged Apalit-Macabebe Road in August 2025, thereafter proceeding to the Barangay Sampaloc stretch of MacArthur Highway as badly damaged by recent floodings.
“Pwede na silang kumuha ng pondo sa QRF (quick response funds). Naglabas na po tayo dyan ng P1-billion. Kaya sinabihan po natin ang assistant director and district engineer ng DPWH na agarang hingin ang pondong ito sa kanilang secretary para mabilis ma-implement ang proyekto,” Pangandaman was quoted as saying.
“We at the DBM will keep on monitoring these projects to ensure that they are not substandard. Patuloy po kaming bastonero ng pondo ng taumbayan para siguraduhing ito ay napupunta sa tama,” she furthered.
Barely three months later, Pangandaman resigned amid budget controversies in the wake of the flood control project anomalies.
The roads continued inflicting suffering on the people, their every rant riposted dismissively with “DPWH po ‘yan” in one Apalit I Love It FB page.
Jan. 26, 2026. Public Works Sec. Vince Dizon led the inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works along MacArthur Highway, including a 290-meter damaged section now undergoing concrete paving using P35 million from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
“We have to finish these before the rainy season,” Dizon enjoined his minions, citing the risk of further road damage and flooding if repairs are delayed. Good to hear, but still way short of music to the ears.
Out of Dizon’s sight mayhaps, the Apalit-Macabebe Road remains in the same, if not worse, state of dilapidation with no sign of rehabilitation on sight.
Bad, really bad.
Meanwhile, as in Pangandaman’s visit, Dizon’s coming to town provided good photo opportunities for Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. And Apalit loved it.
Sad. Seriously sadder than sad. Punto Op-Ed/Photos: ABS-CBN, PhilStar, DPWH
