Dizon defends ‘rushed’ opening of Davao coastal road

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday downplayed criticism from Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte over the allegedly “premature” opening of the Davao City Coastal Road, assuring the public that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) places public safety first.

In an interview, Dizon said the government will always prioritize the safety of road users, but added that it must also consider the convenience that Davao residents need from the bridge and roads.

“DPWH will always prioritize public safety, pero kailangan din buksan na sa lalong madaling panahon yung Bucana Bridge at mga roads kasi kawawa din naman ang mga kababayan natin na grabe yung dinaranas na traffic,” he said.

(DPWH will always prioritize public safety, but we really do need to open the Bucana Bridge and those roads right away because our fellow citizens are experiencing extreme traffic.)

“Balance yan, na public safety and convenience ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.

(It’s a balance for the public safety and convenience of our fellow citizens.)

Dizon was responding to Duterte statement on Monday, calling out the DPWH for the premature opening of the Bucana road despite deficiencies, such as the lack of streetlights or safety and traffic signages.

With the premature opening, Davao City residents would have to brace for heavy traffic in the city, Duterte said.

The acting mayor said that the DPWH had to open the road to motorists, albeit unfinished, supposedly under pressure from to comply with the President’s announcement.

“To DPWH: should anything happen to Dabawenyos in that area because of inadequate streetlights and safety measures, that is on you and your stupidity,” he said in a Facebook post.

But Dizon clarified that the DPWH regional office is in coordination with the local government to ensure public safety and convenience.

President Marcos was in Davao City last week to inspect the Bucana Bridge, announcing its expected opening Monday.

The President's remarks drew another criticism from Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that the construction of the Bucana Bridge should be attributed to her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and China.—MCG, GMA Integrated News