SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has called for forensic inspections of roads, bridges and other infrastructure damaged by recent floods to determine whether structural deficiencies or poor implementation contributed to the failures.
Lacson said civil engineers and their professional associations could play a key role in establishing accountability by organizing inspection teams to examine damaged infrastructure and conduct technical and forensic assessments.
He urged civil engineering groups to inspect collapsed or damaged projects and determine whether the problems stemmed from faulty structural design, construction or implementation.
“Manawagan tayo sa association ng civil engineers, dapat siguro sila kumilos na mag-inspection,” Lacson said in an interview with DZBB radio.
“If there were deficiencies in structural design or implementation, the contractor should be held accountable,” he added.
Lacson said the review should not be limited to recently completed projects. He proposed examining infrastructure projects implemented over the past five years or more to determine whether deficiencies contributed to their failure.
He said forensic assessments could provide evidence needed to identify those responsible, including contractors, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and politicians who proposed or supported the projects.
“Dapat yan isa-isa balikan at habulin ang contractor, DPWH officials, kung sinong pulitiko nag-propose ng infrastructure project na yan, hindi lang flood control,” Lacson said.
The senator emphasized that the accountability effort should cover various types of public infrastructure, not just flood-control projects.
He said recent flooding has provided an opportunity to examine the condition and performance of roads, bridges and other infrastructure and determine whether their failures were caused by design flaws, construction deficiencies or other implementation issues.
According to Lacson, a systematic forensic review could help establish responsibility and ensure that those found accountable are properly investigated and, when warranted, face appropriate sanctions.
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