Pimentel wants probe into Road Board

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Road Board under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) should be investigated for alleged corruption that has led to poor maintenance of national and provincial roads, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Wednesday.

“I have received numerous reports of irregularities taking place in the Road Board especially during the previous administration. The Aquino administration should clean up this agency pursuant to its commitment to the daang matuwid or the straight path,” Pimentel said in a statement Wednesday.

The Road Board, established through Republic Act 8794 also known as the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge Act, is tasked in ensuring the proper maintenance of roads throughout the country including improvement of drainage, installation of traffic lights and road safety devices, and control of air pollution.

Special funds were earmarked solely for the Road Board but these had apparently been “diverted to private pockets for many years now”, Pimentel said.

“I find it really disturbing that monies collected under RA 8794 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) have apparently been diverted to private pockets for many years now, with the result that our road system is poorly maintained and presents a grave and present danger to public safety,” he said.

Pimentel pointed out that the Road Board could possibly be making money from projects such as the asphalt overlaying of roads.

“Why is it that its road works are limited to asphalt overlay and concreting is not allowed? Is it because they make money from this?” Pimentel asked.

“The President should take a closer look at the operations of the Road Board to determine whether it is really performing its mandate,” he said.

Pimentel called on the government to abolish the Road Board and to probe all those responsible to determine if there was any violation of the anti-graft law.