Ex-gov urges DPWH probe into P98-M culvert project

By MANUEL T. UGALDE

FORMER Albay governor Noel Rosal challenged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to investigate the P98 million Box Culvert project located just outside the Mayon 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, asserting that its location and design could lead to severe flooding in nearby residential areas.

In a recent social media post, Rosal criticized the bridge project between Barangays Boyoan and Padang in the Mayon southeast quadrant facing Legazpi, arguing that the close proximity of the bridge piers could lead to lahar overflow when constricted by Mayon debris during heavy rains and eruptions, based on his experience as former mayor of Legazpi City.

Rosal, who served as mayor for over 20 years, was elected governor in the May 2022 election but was removed from office by the Commission on Election (Comelec) eight months later for violating the Omnibus Election Code by distributing cash assistance to senior citizens and tricycle drivers during the election ban.

His wife and successor, Mayor Geraldine Rosal, was similarly disqualified by the Comelec for the same offense, but was saved by a Supreme Court status quo ante order last year.

Reacting to Rosal’s concerns on Facebook, DPWH Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte visited the site and clarified that the project in question is a box culvert, not a bridge, and confirmed that its design meets the standard requirements.

However, he directed the Albay 2nd District Engineering Office to investigate Rosal’s complaint further. Eduarte also confirmed that the box culvert is located outside the Mayon 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.

Albay 2nd District Engineer Warren Azotea was unavailable for comment, but his information officer Richard De Jesus denied the existence of a bridge project at the site mentioned by Rosal. De Jesus clarified that the project is a 9-barrel concrete box culvert, each 3 meters wide, extending the recently completed 3.5-kilometer 6-lane concrete alternate route to the province’s 3rd district.

The box culvert site stretches between Barangays Mabinit and Bonga, outside the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone. Despite this, the DPWH is examining the issue raised by the former governor.

When asked about the contractor responsible for the P98 million box culvert, De Jesus stated that Sunwest Construction won the public bidding for the project, which has just been completed. Sunwest Construction was previously associated with Ako Bicol Party List Representative Elizaldy Co, who reportedly divested his shares upon becoming a congressman.

In a text message to this writer, Rosal corrected his earlier claim that described the project as a bridge. He clarified that he was referring to a box culvert, expressing concerns that the close distance of the culvert walls could cause lahar overflow during heavy rains and Mayon eruptions. He plans to ask the city mayor to address this concern with the DPWH.

It is worth recalling that over 200 residents died from lahar flow in Barangay Padang during the 2007 Typhoon Reming, which resulted in nearly 2000 casualties around Mayon.