Contractor says DPWH green lighted road rehab

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The contractor of a road rehabilitation project in San Roque Street here denied talks that it lacks a notice to proceed from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“There was a notice to proceed issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Capiz 1st District Engineering Office to start the project,” said Gin Arabia of G. Arabia Platinum Construction and Development Co. said.

Arabia said he will not risk his company to undertake projects without the proper documents.

Arabia said he received the notice signed by District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura on Feb 7, 2020.

He said there is no truth to the statement of Engineer Julius Abela that the road work lacks a notice to proceed.

On March 9, Mayor Ronnie Dadivas called the DPWH 1st Engineering District to shed light on the complaint of some commuters regarding the ongoing rehabilitation of the road.

Dadivas added that the city government was never informed of the project.

According to the DPWH, they were surprised also with the construction because their office has not issued any clearance or notice to proceed.

But their statements apparently contradicted the documents presented by Arabia.