Press Release
November 7, 2012

KOKO SEEKS ABOLITION OF ROAD BOARD

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, PDP Laban President, today called for the immediate abolition of the Road Board under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in light of persistent reports of anomalies in the agency.

"I have received numerous reports of irregularities taking place in the Road Board especially during the previous administration. The Aquino administration should clean up this agency pursuant to its commitment to the daang matuwid or the straight path," Pimentel said.

"So many questions have been raised about the actuations of the Road Board. For example, why is it that its roads works are limited to asphalt overlay and concreting is not allowed? Is it because they make money from this," Pimentel asked.

The senator also noted that the agency's rules are too informal, allowing verbal requests to overrule written ones.

"The President should take a close look at the operations of the Road Board to determine whether it is really performing its mandate," Pimentel said.

The Road Board was established through Republic Act 8794, or the Motor Vehicle User's Charge Act, to ensure the adequate maintenance of national and provincial roads through sufficient funding for the purpose.

Pimentel pointed out that the Road Board is supposed to implement the prudent and efficient management and utilization of the special funds earmarked solely for the purpose of road maintenance and improvement of road drainage, installation of adequate traffic light and road safety devices and air pollution control.

"I find it really disturbing that monies collected under RA 8794 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) have apparently been diverted to private pockets for many years now, with the result that our road system is poorly maintained and presents a grave and present danger to public safety," the senator said.

Pimentel said the government probe of the Road Board should spare no one and those found to have violated the anti-graft law should be charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

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