PRESIDENTIAL son Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo III may push for the removal of top officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol in the wake of delays and alleged irregularities in the rehabilitations of the Andaya Highway.

        The youthful Camarines Sur first district solon is reportedly seriously considering the ouster of Bicol DPWH Regional Director Orlando B. Roces and District Engr. Gilbert Olfindo of the Camarines Sur I Engineering District, following their apparent inexcusable failure and gross negligence in ensuring the fast completion of rehabilitation works along the Andaya Highway.

        Rep. Arroyo has reportedly heeded the advice of Rep. Erin Tanada of the 3rd district of Quezon province, who told the presidential son to hold accountable the DPWH regional director and district engineer for the delay and the alleged irregularities. Tanada’s district covers the Tagkawayan portion of the Andaya Highway where similar rehab works were completed ahead of time. Moreover, road rehab works along the Tagkawayan section were without allegations of irregularities of negligence that resulted to traffic distortions and accidents as what frequently occurred along the Bicol (Camarines Sur) side of the highway.

        Staunch anti-graft crusader Carlo M. Batalla, a board member representing Camarines Sur 1st district, has recently brought to Rep. Arroyo’s attention reports of alleged irregularities in the implementation of rehab works as well as the apparent negligence of top Bicol DPWH officials to ensure vehicular safety along the highway.

        Batalla lamented that Regional Director Roces and District Engr. Olfindo have repeatedly failed to show documents pertaining to the project and refused to conduct concrete actions to deter vehicular accidents in the area.

        Batalla stressed that its about time these 2 DPWH officials go, since retaining them could only tarnish the good image and efforts of the neophyte solon, who was voted overwhelmingly in the last elections despite not being a native of the province’s 1st district.

        Being groomed to replace Olfindo amid talks to his impending ouster is his assistant district engineer, Elmer Francisco, who is also a law school graduate. Director Roces, it is said, may be assigned to other regions and among the leading candidates for the post is long-term assistant regional director Oscar Cristobal.