As the country remains among the world’s most disaster-prone areas, a lawmaker has proposed requiring regular inspections of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects after completion to ensure public safety.
Parañaque Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan said he filed House Bill (HB) No. 9780, or the proposed National Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Act, to keep infrastructure projects safe and ensure they remain sound public investments.
Under HB No. 9780, DPWH projects would undergo inspections every five to 10 years after completion.
‘We need to ensure that each project remains safe and of high quality so that government funds are not wasted. The true value of an infrastructure project is not in the construction itself, but in its longevity, safety and usability,’ Yamsuan said.
‘While these digital portals help monitor the implementation of national government infrastructure projects, periodic physical inspections remain necessary to determine whether these projects still meet engineering safety standards after years of exposure to severe weather, overloading, and other factors affecting their structural integrity,’ he added.
HB No. 9780 tasks the DPWH with inspecting projects and preparing reports for public release.
‘Based on the inspection findings, the DPWH shall undertake the necessary maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation measures for these projects,’ Section 3 of the bill states.
The proposed measure also requires the ‘owner or lawful possessor of the site or location of the national government infrastructure projects’ to allow inspectors and maintenance teams access to conduct inspections, maintenance, repairs, and rehabilitation.
Refusing access or obstructing inspections and maintenance would be punishable by a fine of up to P50,000.
Yamsuan said the measure would complement the Transparency Portal and Integrity Chain established by the current administration to track DPWH projects and fund releases.
‘Ultimately, what we want is to safeguard billions in public investments so that taxpayers get their full money’s worth out of these projects for years to come,’ he said.
‘This problem is usually seen in older public works implemented years ago. Over time, properties may have changed hands or authority over these sites may have become muddled by the involvement of private developers, homeowners’ associations or other private entities,’ he added.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government would begin constructing disaster-resilient Ligtas Pinoy Centers while pushing for stronger building standards to withstand increasingly severe natural disasters.
The president’s statement prompted lawmakers to call for prioritizing infrastructure-related measures, including the proposed New Philippine Building Act.
Several lawmakers, including Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo, thanked Marcos for mentioning the bill in his Sona. Similarly, Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto said the president’s remarks should spur Congress to ensure structures are resilient to calamities.