Pricey flagpole raises red flag among bishops

Several Catholic bishops on Wednesday denounced the government’s plan to spend P8 million for a new flagpole at Rizal Park in Manila, saying it was clearly an “abuse” of the people’s money.

“I believe there is a way of spending less and getting the work done,” said Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

He added that he clearly understood why the multimillion peso project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was making people angry. “I hope competent authorities would check this [project],” he said.

When Caloocan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez learned about the project, he said he wondered about its purpose. “What are the priorities of those responsible for it? Will they use public funds for it?” he asked.

Based on a billboard erected near the Rizal Monument bearing the details of the project, the new flagpole—a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—will cost more than P7.8 million.

Director Reynaldo Tagudando of the DPWH National Capital Region office, however, denied that the cost was exorbitant, explaining that the new flagpole would be taller and powered by a mechanized pulley.

He said the National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC) which was in charge of Rizal Park had requested that the flagpole be restored to its original proposed height of 52 meters or 150 feet.

“Right now, its height is 100 feet. If we will change its height, it will have a different structural analysis  so we also have to change its base or foundation to support the flagpole’s new height and weight,” Tagudando explained.

“Right now the existing diameter of the lower part of the pole is 400 mm so we will change that to 800 mm. The higher part of the pole is around 100 mm and that will have to be changed to 200 mm,” he added.

But Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said he believed the project was overpriced. “That’s the fate of many government projects. Someone will be benefiting from it,” he added.

“I think the price of that flagpole is an abuse of money. Did it really all go to the flagpole? Most of it could have been better spent [on other important things],” added Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, Tagudando said the high-quality steel for the project would be imported from Hong Kong by the contractor, AKH Construction and Trading Corp.

“They will be using a different kind of steel. Based on the steel code, they will use Q345,” he said as he reiterated that the project was not overpriced despite its hefty price tag.

“These are special items. We would also be needing two cranes to work on the project,” Tagudando explained.

“We have nothing to hide. The project allotment and costs were all itemized,” he said as he urged the public to check the project billboard at the site where the data, including the contractor’s name, was displayed.

Once the flagpole is installed, the NPDC plans to call it the “Philippine National Flagpole.”