Quezon bets told: Stay off gov’t, DPWH projects

LUCENA CITY—The head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in central Quezon has appealed to all candidates to remove propaganda billboards and tarpaulins posted alongside or in all ongoing or recently completed DPWH projects.

Celestial Flancia, head of the DPWH second engineering district in Quezon, said yesterday that she was making the appeal in compliance with a directive last week by Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson for all DPWH officials and workers to remove and tear down election materials posted outside designated areas.

Notices were already sent to candidates with posters alongside government projects, said Flancia.

She said she has given the candidates ample time to remove the posters themselves before she issued the order to remove the materials to DPWH workers.

Singson declared his support for the Commission on Elections and anti-epal campaign of concerned citizens when he ordered the ban and removal of election campaign materials posted on government projects.

He also ordered the removal of election materials on bridge approaches, road and bridge railings, road signs and within road right-of-way limits.

The city’s main streets are being repaired since last month but conspicuously placed along the road are several tarpaulins carrying the names and pictures of incumbent district Rep. Irvin Alcala (Liberal Party) and his second cousin, Lucena Mayor Rhoderick Alcala (LP), both proclaiming that the road project is theirs.

Flancia said she has given notice to the two officials.

Alcala, son of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, is running for governor against incumbent Gov. David Suarez (National Unity Party), son of House minority leader Danilo Suarez.

The contest between the two scions of influential political clans is being waged through propaganda materials.