Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has reprimanded officials of the Samar 1st District Engineering Office for initiating construction of a bridge without first securing its required vertical clearance from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
During inspection of Maharlika Highway, Dizon said the officials approved a bridge design that passed over a port area without prior coordination with port authorities, a lapse he described as gross negligence that could have resulted in wasted public funds.
The DPWH said it is now coordinating closely with port authorities in Samar to prevent further delays and ensure compliance in the implementation of the Calbayog Coastal Road Project, which includes the bridge component.
“Who will be accountable if the PPA says the bridge height is too low and the project has to be redone? That would mean wasted money,” Dizon said, warning that those responsible could face administrative cases for failing to follow proper procedures.
The DPWH chief later clarified that he has already coordinated with the PPA and that initial assessments indicate the bridge’s current height is manageable and poses no immediate risk of vessels colliding with the structure.
Despite this, Dizon stressed that bypassing mandatory clearances in infrastructure projects is dangerous and unacceptable, noting that any required redesign or workaround could still lead to unnecessary expenses for taxpayers.
The project aims to provide an alternative route for motorists traveling between Calbayog City and the towns of Rawis, Aguit-itan, and San Policarpio, and is expected to ease traffic congestion along the Maharlika Highway and the city’s main commercial district.
Dizon issued the warning during a recent inspection of the project site, where he underscored the importance of adhering strictly to inter-agency coordination and approval processes in public infrastructure development.
