Enact Laws to Hold Contractors Responsible

Here's my letter addressed to the members of the Provincial Board of Mountain Province. This after Winston Sili Pawid, my former student was killed by a rock slide while driving on his way home to Bontoc on September 14, 2007.

XIJEN BUSINESS CENTER
Bontoc, Mountain Province
Telefax: (074) 606 8132


September 18, 2007

HON. LOUIS F. CLAVER
Vice-Governor
Bontoc, Mountain Province

Subject: On The Safety of Government Projects

Sir:

I earnestly urge your good office to look into what the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can do on road safety measures here in Mountain Province and other related government projects. On September 14, 2007 at about 9:00 PM, Winston Sili Pawid, a native of Lesseb, Bauko was driving home towards Bontoc. He is a truck driver of Ranee Enterprises, the San Miguel Beer products dealer here in Mountain Province owned by Mrs. Eugenia Manao. When his truck passed by within the vicinity of Lukib, boulders and all fell down on his truck. The landslide carried with it his truck down below. It was only in the morning of September 15, 2007 that the incident was discovered. Winston leaves behind 1.6 year old son and his wife, Geraldine Cabiadan Pawid who is my employee.

Winston 28, will be buried today and as a fitting remembrance to his early demise, I appeal to your good office and the honorable members of the Board of Mountain Province to pass legislation in the hopes of preventing future incidents that are related to ongoing government projects. Yes, Winston was there at the wrong time, at the wrong place but let’s put things into perspective. I believe that accidents can be minimized or prevented.

As we traveled to Lesseb to attend his funeral services, the ongoing road widening and concreting project along the Mount Data to Bontoc route is sorely lacking in warning devices, traffic management including directories for motorists. Even our concreted roads lack the standard traffic signs.

You can’t help but notice the potential dangers of the mountainsides. They are “killer” mountains waiting for the next victim. There is not even an advisory on road conditions on all exit roads.

Now is the time to act. Now is the time to institute local legislation on holding contractors responsible and ensure that ongoing projects provide adequate safety measures starting with their workers and the public at large.

We can just look around and proof abounds on our lack of concern for the safety of others. Sidewalks that are supposed to be for the people become the commerce of men or an extension of one’s abode. The sidewalk just below the barracks going to the hospital is blocked by an overextended fence. I remember this sidewalk was a project of a Member of the Board.

People’s lives are at stake in all these government projects that are supposed to make life easier for its citizens.

I appeal to your good office to make the necessary action and help make Mountain Province a safer place. We can’t move forward as a province if sloppy infrastructure projects continue to be the order of the day.

I have faith in your capabilities.

Very truly yours,



Joel T. Fagsao