Press Release
March 28, 2007

With infra ban on effect, why not tap
Army troops in MM for road repair, estero cleanup?

Army troops can make up for the ban in public works construction which would take effect tomorrow until May 14 if they will undertake road and flood control repair in Metro Manila barangays where they have been stationed.

This suggestion came from Sen. Ralph Recto who called for a modification in the soldiers mission from stopping Communist infiltration to constructing infrastructure.

There will be a lag in public works activities due to the elections . Theres a 45-day ban on new construction. But repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure, such as estero declogging, is allowed under election laws, he said.

The soldiers can fill this temporary vacuum in public works construction by doing infrastructure work allowed under our laws, Recto said .

Other activities which can be done by soldiers which would pass Comelec scrutiny and win public approval, Recto said , are the sprucing up of health clinics and the painting of classrooms.

These are actions which I believe the bishops would approve of, he added, referring to a published report today quoting an official of the Catholic bishops conference expressing concern over the militarys continued stay in some NCR barangays.

Local governments would welcome soldiers performing engineering duties as the DPWH and local engineering offices are undermanned and ill-equipped to meet the huge backlog in infrastructure repair, Recto.

In short they need reinforcements, and our soldiers, instead of parading and marching in their camps, will do something the people want, Recto said .

The military, he said, has the second most number of construction equipment next to the DPWH, assets which we should occasionally tap for civilian use, given our lack of resources in this area.

Given these considerations , then our soldiers shouldnt retreat yet but on the contrary dig in . Dig , not foxholes but possibly esteros so these can be ready in time for the rainy season. This flood control civic action can be done by engineering units , he said.

Many communities around the country take advantage of the good summer weather to repair canals, dredge streams and strengthen embankments so these can catch water runoff and prevent flooding during the wet season .

Earlier, when news broke out that soldiers were on the prowl in NCR slums, Recto reacted by saying that the military should instead send in doctors and nurses because the enemy there is disease, not dissidents.

News Latest News Feed