By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter
THE GOVERNMENT needs to enhance its execution on water management issues and address delays attributable to right-of-way (RoW) acquisition, a former Public Works secretary said.
“We face what I check with because the cycle of destruction because we will not be properly addressing the water crisis,” Rogelio L. Singson told reporters Wednesday.
“Water will not be rocket science. Unfortunately, the funds will not be getting used properly. It’s sad to say that the funds are there, but they will not be getting used the appropriate way,” he added.
He said much of the funding is wasted because the appropriate projects will not be being pursued.
“What is occurring now’s we’ve the incorrect project, the incorrect cost, and the incorrect quality. So, the cash is wasted,” he added.
On the subject of right-of-way acquisition, he said that every one the federal government infrastructure projects are experiencing delays as a result of RoW issues.
“The funds are there, little doubt. There are RoW funds. But for them to have the option to make use of that, the documentation needs to be complete,” he said.
“If the documentation will not be complete, which identifies who can pay and the way much, how are you going to obligate the funds? So, (the funds) are being reverted,” he added.
He called for specialists coping with RoW in every infrastructure agency.
“We want a dedicated team and lots of help coming from the local government units (LGUs). If the LGUs don’t accept the project, nothing will occur. So, the LGU must accept the project,” he said.
The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council has identified the amendments to the RoW Act as among the many priority bills for passage throughout the 19th Congress.
Nevertheless, Mr. Singson said that amending the bill mustn’t be the highest priority.
“The law is already there. You possibly can already pay RoW based on market value,” he said.
“But what I suggest is to pay them based on market and substitute value,” he added.
He said that this can allow the landowners to purchase land and rebuild their homes once they relocate.
“(Substitute value) is straightforward to calculate. It’s only a measurement — what’s the home manufactured from — concrete or wood?” he added.
Mr. Singson, who’s the previous president of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., was recognized by the Management Association of the Philippines because the Management Person of the 12 months 2024.
