Lacson Seeks Senate Probe On EDSA Rehabilitation

Sen. Panfilo Lacson is seeking a Senate public works committee inquiry into the EDSA rehabilitation program after potholes emerged on newly repaired roads during monsoon rains.

Lacson said road damage just months after completion exposed flaws in planning, design and construction standards for public works under maintenance funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Asset Preservation Program.

“For nearly a week, persistent southwest monsoon rains have drenched parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, damaging several main thoroughfares, including recently rehabilitated sections of EDSA. The presence of fresh potholes means the newly repaired avenue will already require another round of maintenance,” Lacson said in his Senate Resolution No. 594 filed this week as the country continues to be battered by the southwest monsoon and the metro endures traffic gridlock.

“Rapid deterioration of recently rehabilitated roads, most notably EDSA, just months after completion exposes deep-seated flaws in the planning, design, construction, and management of high-cost public infrastructure projects,” he added.

The DPWH awarded Phase 1 of the EDSA Rehabilitation Project from Roxas Boulevard to Orense Street to Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. under a contract valued at over P1.18 billion. DPWH announced the completion of Phase 1 two months ahead of schedule.

The agency awarded Phase 2 covering Orense Street to Monumento to Readycon in a joint venture with Dumduma Construction and Trading Corp. under a contract worth over P4 billion.

Lacson questioned the use of asphalt overlay in repairing roads, saying asphalt will deteriorate under water if there is no proper drainage.

He stressed the need to comply with the New Government Procurement Act, which provides that the bidding and award of a contract for infrastructure projects should be backed with detailed engineering investigations, surveys, and designs that consider environmental factors like rain and flooding.

The law also provides for the defects liability period for infrastructure projects, one year from project completion up to final acceptance, that requires the contractor to undertake the repair works at its own expense of any damage to the infrastructure, especially if the materials used were substandard.

“It is imperative for Congress to review the mandate of the DPWH in setting the necessary standards and the specifications, including those that have been foreseen and are foreseeable, in the designs and construction of our public works, to exercise its oversight function over the implementation of the Asset Preservation Program funded under the annual appropriations, and determine the compliance of the contractors with the design and engineering standards,” Lacson said in his resolution.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the immediate repair of affected portions of the EDSA Phase 1 Rehabilitation Project on Aug. 9 after water ponding was reported along a section of the busway.

Dizon said the contractor must undertake the repairs at no cost to the government and determine what caused the problem.

“We are auditing contractor compliance, and if our investigation reveals substandard workmanship or negligence, we will hold those responsible fully accountable,” Dizon said.

The secretary also welcomed Lacson’s call for a Senate inquiry into the project, saying legislative oversight is important to ensure transparency and protect public funds.

He said the DPWH is ready to cooperate with the Senate committee on public works in reviewing the project and ensuring that infrastructure spending meets required standards.