Bohol’s Aumentado clarifies procedures on road projects amid controversy

Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado /Photo from House of Representatives

TAGBILARAN CITY — Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol’s second district on Tuesday clarified the procedures on road projects after a village road in Dagohoy town became controversial on national TV.

“We did our best and because the road from San Vicente, Dagohoy, to Barangay Taming, Danao is long, the best that we can do is to fund (the road concreting) through farm-to-market road project of the Department of Agriculture,” Aumentado told reporters during a media conference held in this city.

Also in attendance were lawyer Jamie Villamor, Dominic Butalid, and board member Victor Balite who are under Aumentado’s slate.

Aumentado, who is running for governor in the 2022 elections against Gov. Arthur Yap, reiterated the procedures of road projects being approved and executed in his district.

Bohol’s 2nd district has 346 barangays.

He explained the status of the infrastructure project and what procedures it has to go through before road improvement projects are being carried out on ground level.

A resident identified as Maricel Jumamoy of Barangay San Vicente in Dagohoy town, complained on national TV thru “Wanted sa Radyo” hosted by broadcaster and senatorial aspirant Raffy Tulmo regarding the poor road condition in the barangay.

The program was aired last November 15 on Radyo5 92.3 News FM with a simulcast on television via One PH.

The 16-km road connects to Barangays La Esperanza, Estaca, Villa Aurora, Can-oling in Dagohoy town and Barangay Taming in Danao town.

Aumentado said Tulfo’s program didn’t call him to air his side.

He explained that the road was not managed by the barangay nor by the municipality.

Since it is part of the provincial rural improvement road, Aumentado said he had submitted proposals to national agencies for funding.

“I didn’t even neglect that. I did my obligation to look for funds,” said Aumentado, who shelled out P12.5 million from his farm-to-market fund to cement at least a 5-km road. An additional P50 million budget was allocated for next year from a senator.