By Mario Casayuran
The country will expect a more efficient and prompt road-related services with the abolition by President Duterte of the Road Board, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said Wednesday.
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
‘’The Road Board has been one of the most corrupt agencies of government. And as its function could be relegated to other agencies, the abolition of the Road Board will streamline our bureaucracy and safeguard against corruption,’’ Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate economic affairs committee, said.
Gatchalian described the Road Board as a ‘’useless agency.’
He said officials have long used the Road Board as their personal kitty with no accountability.
‘’I am thankful that this practice will now come to an end,’’ he stressed.
Isa ako sa mga matagal nang nananawagan na buwagin ang ahensyang ito. Sa katunayan, 16th Congress pa lang ay naghain na ako ng panukalang batas para sa pagtanggal dito. Isa rin ito sa mga unang panukalang batas na inihain ko pagtungtong ko sa Senado,’’ he pointed out. (I am one of the congressmen who has been calling for the abolition of the Board. In truth, I already filed during the 16th Congress a bill seeking its abolition. One of the bills I filed when I joined the Senate sought the abolition of the Board.’’
Republic Act 11239 abolishing the Road Board mandates the transfer of the rights, assets and liabilities of the abolished Road Board to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The law also provides that motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC) collections will be remitted to the National Treasury