Collaboration: Crucial to solving flood woes

We share the concerns voiced by local government and legislative officials in traditional and social media about some national agencies’ lack of coordination, especially in controversial flood control projects.

- DR. JUN YNARES

Several days ago, the public saw certain LGUs “calling out” the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for “undertaking projects without consultation nor prior information." LGUs called it a “bad habit” on the part of the DPWH.

It is clear that the LGUs complaint is not based solely on what seems to be a disregard for the basics of courtesy. LGUs pointed out that the absence of coordination may have resulted in “costly and dysfunctional outcomes.”

It baffles us that the DPWH would ignore the importance of coordination with local governments in the implementation of vital infrastructure projects. They are not alone in this plight. We have heard similar complaints from our colleagues in other local governments.

The local government of Antipolo has not been spared from this apparent disregard for coordination. On several occasions, we brought to the attention of the district engineers projects that had not been coordinated with the city government, barangay nor homeowners’ association, and did not have the required permits.

The legal action taken by the local government is based on the powers given to it by the Local Government Code of the Philippines. In addition, the same law specifically directs national agencies and offices with project implementation functions to “coordinate with the local government units concerned in the discharge of these functions.”