by Rey Anthony Chiu

Tagbilaran City (23 August) -- Despite sticking to the "hands off policy" over foreign funded projects not under its supervision, the local Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vehemently denies it has not acted on the drainage problem hounding portions of the city.

the project could be turned over to the local authorities, then the DPWH starts to have responsibility of the project, District 1 Engr. Celestino Adlaon hindted during earlier radio interviews.

That would also be assuming that the local authorities would want to accept a non-functional project causing hassles to motorists and at least 26 homeowners living on the lower portions of CPG which comes flooded every time a heavy downpour comes.

Adlaon insists that it is the Project Management Office (PMO) of the Philippine Japan Highways Loan Project (PJHLP) that has direct supervision of the faulty drainage system, which was incorporated with the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project 2 (BCRIP 2).

In a radio interview, Adlaon pressed that it is only the PJHLP through its PMO that can order the contractor, Hanjin to disconnect the illegal sewer taps on the designed storm drain along CPG Avenue.

But, despite their being no players in the deal, the local DPWH clarified that on its part, has prepared plans and programs of work for the cutting of illegal connections and the de-silting of the drainage for national funding, the least they could do, a key DPWH First Engineering District Official said.

Cesar Damalerio, DPWH info officer also hinted that the national government may also refuse to accept the project with the illegal taps still on.

According to Engr. Adlaon, the PJHLP PMO has given the go signal for private and commercial establishments along the CPG to tap their sewerage pipes into the main canals, despite its specification as storm drains.

Over this, the local environment office has plugged the outfall canals of the main drainage to prevent possible water contamination caused by household waste water in Tagbilaran Bay.

The plugging also causes the rainwater to flow to the lower portions of the CPG and cause the flooding.

Over buck-passing of blames from government and project proponents, city residents have demanded action and not finger pointing over the worsening problem of flooding water from the city drainage.

Then reportedly a problem affecting only motorists, excess water has also caused headaches for residents of at least 26 home-owners settled at the back of Cogon Shrine Church.