Ben Contreras MY deepest appreciation to Engr. Anastacio G. Marundan, second district engineer, for sending me copies of Kadasig, a quarterly accomplishment magazine. Kadasig is not just about project accomplishments, it is also about many things they do as a team that would improve their efficiency through seminars and workshops, activities under the spirit of corporate social responsibility (CSR), surprise mandatory drug tests to enhance their integrity, and many more, so as to improve the image of their office. It has always been a public perception that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is among the most corrupt agencies in the country. But it does not preclude that there are no honest people in the organization. If their slogan “Mga Kawani na may Dangal at Sigasig” is something to go by, I could only wish them well and perhaps, prove themselves to be the better side of the coin. It’s been written that DPWH-10 is being investigated for the 2017 projects amounting to hundreds of billions of pesos already awarded but with unclear biddings or winning bidders. I wonder if Tony Lustre is still on it for he gave me copies of reports that raised more questions than answers. A district office may involve lesser projects in scope and amount but the money still belongs to the people and as such, every centavo should be accounted for. One thing I would like to emphasize is that, any project should be benefit all and none should be inconvenienced, displaced and disadvantaged. Once, I brought the case of a relative whose house became uninhabitable because of a project undertaken by this agency which turned her home into a swimming pool whenever it rained. I went to the office to relay this issue but forgot who entertained me. Nothing positive has been done to appease my niece and I believe she filed a case against the office. Her name is Mrs. Bravo. How many Mrs. Bravos are there in the city? With all these public works going on--widening of bridges and highways and opening of new roads--were there other Mrs. Bravos who felt betrayed by this office/agency? No doubt, Engr. Marundan has the best intention for sharing a copy to me. Let me reciprocate it by saying that at a time when President Duterte has made corruption on top of the list of problems that need to be addressed, may he steer his office to achieve the “may dangal” goal.
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“JO” or “job order” is probably the most abused term of employment. It has become a source for corruption, and a milking cow of dishonest public officials. It’s amusing to see our city officials fighting over the hiring of JOs involving kin, direct or otherwise. Oh, how the pot calls the kettle black, so they say. Let’s not go into the details. I am sure if they still have decency left in them, they would try to rectify and think things over. If they are not afraid of what happened to their colleague once, then I am sure history will repeat itself on some of them in the future. Or, perhaps, they thought they are powerful and influential enough to escape justice.