Roxas says no markets, town halls built in Bohol despite P2-B fund

MANILA, Philippines – It has been a year since a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Bohol, killing 222 people and destroying over 14,500 structures.

But four months since the Department of Interior and Local Government turned over to the Bohol provincial government P2.3 billion in additional funds for the rebuilding or repair of government offices and other public infrastructure destroyed by the tremor, DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II found out that no new structures have been erected using the money.

When he went to Bohol with Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday, Roxas reprimanded local government officials for their failure to have new public markets and municipal halls built using the P2.3-billion fund turned over to them last June.

“Meron na ba ni isang pako na ipinako, minartilyo d’yan o wala [Is there a single nail already hammered or there’s none]? Roxas told local executives.

“Sasabunin tayo lahat ng Pangulo. At higit pa roon, sasabunin lahat tayo ng ating mga boss [We will be scolded by the President. And worse, we will all be scolded by our bosses],” the DILG further told the local officials.

According to local leaders, those from local government units responsible for rebuilding the structures lacked technical knowledge or LGUs do not have enough engineers.

“Karamihan nakapasa ng program works pero mayroong mga binabalik dahil doon sa may pagkukulang ang kanilang requirements sa technical [Majority have passed the program works but there are those who lack technical requirements],” said Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto.

To address the problem, the Department of Public Works and Highways has agreed with the LGUs that it will help in looking for experts and workers qualified to build the structures. –Mia Reyes, News5