Isabela threatens to sue DPWH contractors over road accidents

ISABELA, Philippines – The provincial board of Isabela is looking at filing cases against the contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the high incidents of deaths caused by vehicular accidents in the province.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, July 21, Board Member Ronaldo Tugade said contractors for road widening projects had failed to ensure the safety of the motorists.

“Araw-araw akong dumadaan sa isang kalsada na may ginagawang road widening, wala po doong flagman. After nung incident na may tatlong namatay, saka lang sila naglagay ng flagman,” Tugade said.

(Every day, there is at least one road I pass through that is undergoing widening, and I don’t seeing any flagman. They only stationed a flagman when 3 people died.)

Tugade said the Supreme Court decided before that contractors for road projects are liable when they fail to put in place safety measures for commuters.

He said that most of the contractors lacked signage to warn motorists passing by the area.

The council presented cases of vehicular accidents in Isabela during the session.

In Isabela, cases of road accidents reached about 1,406 in just a half year – from January to June. Of these incidents, 99 resulted in casualties.

Tugade said 44 incidents were caused by ongoing road widening projects.

Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III also told reporters in the session that the provincial board will ask contractors to refine their safety measures, and DPWH to monitor contractors.

The provincial board, passed an ordinance imposing “harsher” penalty for contractors who will fail to meet the safety nets provided.

DPWH-Isabela 3rd district engineer Reynald Ubina apologized. – Rappler.com

Image of car crash from Shutterstock