Public Petition to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH): Strengthen Accountability for Traffic Management in Road Projects

To the Officials of the DPWH:

We, the undersigned concerned citizens, motorists, and stakeholders, respectfully call upon the DPWH to adopt and implement stricter measures to ensure proper traffic management at road project sites. Specifically, we urge the inclusion of poor traffic management at project sites as a valid ground for the immediate disqualification of private contractors from bidding on future government infrastructure projects and as grounds for filing criminal, civil, and administrative charges against responsible DPWH personnel.

Grounds for the Petition

The frequent and severe traffic congestion caused by road projects, particularly along major highways in Nueva Vizcaya, has placed an undue burden on motorists, commuters, and the local economy. Notably, the mountain highways traversing Santa Fe and Diadi towns have become notorious for prolonged traffic delays due to inadequately managed construction activities. Motorists routinely experience delays of up to 3-4 hours, particularly during peak travel periods. These repeated instances demonstrate a systemic disregard for public welfare and safety by some contractors and lapses in oversight by DPWH personnel, undermining the department's mission of efficient and sustainable infrastructure development.

Root Causes of Traffic Gridlocks

Based on reports from affected motorists, the root causes of the severe traffic congestion at these road project sites include:

1. Absence of adequate signage and advance warnings for motorists, leading to sudden bottlenecks;
2. Poor scheduling of construction activities, with peak-hour works causing maximum disruption;
3. Narrowing of lanes without provisions for alternative routes or temporary bypass or detour roads;
4. Insufficient deployment of competent traffic enforcers or personnel to manage vehicle flow effectively;
5. Unsafe and chaotic conditions at night due to insufficient lighting and barriers, compounding delays and road crashes;
6. Lengthy road closures imposed by the contractors that lead to long stop-and-go intervals;
7. Lack of a sound traffic management plan that will guide personnel and motorists on how to tackle the road closures due to repairs.

Legal Basis

Presidential Decree No. 1759:

This decree penalizes acts of negligence and inefficiency in public infrastructure projects that adversely affect public order and welfare. It establishes liability for delays, substandard work, and other violations committed by contractors engaged in government projects.

Section 2 of the decree specifies that “any act or omission by a contractor that disrupts public order or results in undue hardship to the public” constitutes a punishable offense. Public officials responsible for lapses in oversight may also be held accountable.

The persistent failure to manage traffic appropriately at construction sites aligns with this definition of negligence, as it disrupts the daily lives of citizens and hampers economic activities.

DPWH Department Order No. 37:

This DO 37 provides for the suspension and blacklisting of contractors for delays exceeding 10 percent of the stipulated project timeline or for failing to meet performance standards.

Poor traffic management, leading to severe inconvenience, directly violates the DPWH’s expectations of contractor performance and public accountability. Such mismanagement can and should be considered a failure to comply with the performance standards outlined in the order. DPWH personnel who fail to enforce these standards must also be subject to accountability measures.

Impact of Poor Traffic Management in Nueva Vizcaya

The mountain highway stretching through Santa Fe and Diadi serves as a vital artery for motorists and commercial transport. However, ongoing roadworks in these areas have been characterized by:

1) Absence of adequate signage and advance warnings for motorists;
2) Narrowing of lanes without provisions for alternative routes, causing kilometer-long traffic jams;
3) Unsafe and chaotic conditions at night due to insufficient lighting and barriers;
4) These failures have led to:

• Significant economic losses due to delayed transport of goods;
• Safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians;
• Psychological stress and frustration among daily commuters;

Proposed Actions

We respectfully petition the DPWH to:

1. Amend Department Order No. 37 to explicitly include poor traffic management as a ground for contractor disqualification;
2. Enforce stricter penalties, including immediate suspension, for contractors failing to implement approved traffic management plans;
3. Mandate the establishment of a dedicated oversight team to monitor traffic management compliance at all major project sites;
4. Require contractors to allocate and use ample resources for public safety and traffic flow management as paid item in their project contracts;
5. Initiate the filing of criminal, civil, and administrative charges against DPWH personnel who fail in their duty to oversee and enforce proper traffic management during road projects.