Protecting people’s lives by ensuring public safety must be the main focus of the investigation into the collapse of a portion of the bridge connecting Cabagan and Sta. Maria towns in Isabela province last week, former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson said the outcome of the investigation ordered by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the upcoming probe by the Senate should ferret out the truth behind the bridge collapse.
“The purpose of the investigation should be not just to save public funds but to ensure the safety of people’s lives,” he said in Filipino, in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines.
Related: Ping Lacson: Pagtiyak sa Buhay at Kaligtasan ng Publiko, Dapat Tutukan sa Pagimbestiga sa Pag-Collapse ng Tulay
He said the premium on public safety as well as the proper use of public funds is why when he was in the Senate, he reviewed the implementation of roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects dating back to as many as four years.
In many cases, Lacson said he would uncover the improper implementation of projects.
“When I was in the Senate, we would review projects not only one or two years back, but three to four years. We see in many cases the wrong implementation of the infrastructure projects,” he said.
Earlier, Lacson called for accountability over the collapse of the bridge in Isabela, as he cited several instances where contractors of projects tainted by corruption use substandard materials after having to pay off officials.
Lacson also reiterated the need for budget reform where local development plans crafted by local development councils get funding from the national budget, since local government units are in the best position to know their constituents’ needs and priorities.
“There should at least be consultation with the local government units and implementing agencies. Otherwise, appropriations will either go unused or misused,” he said.
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Ping Lacson: Pagtiyak sa Buhay at Kaligtasan ng Publiko, Dapat Tutukan sa Pagimbestiga sa Pag-Collapse ng Tulay
Ang pagprotekta ng buhay at kaligtasan ng publiko ang dapat pangunahing tutukan ng imbestigasyon sa pag-collapse ng isang bahagi ng tulay na umuugnay sa mga bayan ng Cabagan at Sta. Maria sa Isabela noong nakaraang linggo, ayon kay dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Miyerkules.
Umaasa si Lacson na lalabas din ang katotohanan sa likod ng insidente, ngayo’y nag-utos ng imbestigasyon si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at may resolusyon na rin sa Senado para imbestigahan ang nangyari.
“Ang purpose natin dito di lang mai-save ang pera ng taumbayan, pati ang buhay ng mamamayan ay dapat mapangalagaan din,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa Bombo Radyo Philippines.
Diin ni Lacson, ang pagsaalang-alang sa kaligtasan ng publiko bukod sa tamang paggamit ng pera ng taumbayan ang dahilan kung bakit noong nasa Senado siya, binabalikan niya ang implementasyon ng mga daan, tulay at ibang infrastructure projects hanggang apat na taon.
Dito ay madalas nabubuking ang maling implementasyon ng mga infrastructure projects, aniya.
“Noong sa Senate ako, ginagawa namin di lang isa o dalawang taon ang aming binabalikan, lalo na pag may budget deliberation. Hanggang tatlo hanggang apat na taon na paggamit ng budget, binabalikan namin. At nakikita talaga natin ang maling pagpapatupad o pag-implement ng proyekto lalo ang infrastructure projects,” ayon kay Lacson.
Ani Lacson, dapat may managot sa pag-collapse ng tulay sa Isabela, matapos niyang maalala na maraming pangyayari noon kung saan ang mga contractors na gumagamit ng substandard na materyales matapos manuhol sa ilang tiwaling opisyal.
Iginiit muli ni Lacson na kailangan ang budget reform kung saan ang local development plans na gawa ng local development councils ang makakakuha ng pondo mula sa pambansang budget, dahil ang mga local government unit ang nakakaalam ng mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga constituent.
“Kailangan at least may consultation man lang sa LGU lalo sa implementing agencies. Kaya di nagagamit o nagagamit man, mali ang paggamit,” aniya.
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