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 recently, former senator Ping Lacson said.
Lacson said the outcome of the investigation ordered by President Ferdinand 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,” the former legislator said in Filipino, in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines.
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 recalled.
“Contractors of projects tainted by corruption use substandard materials after having to pay off officials.”
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.
“Local government units are in the best position to know their constituents’ needs and priorities.”
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.
