P7.8-M Flagpole soon to rise Published: August 28, 2013 Manila, Philippines --- Is there really a flagpole that costs P7.8 million? The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) believes so. DPWH-National Capital Region Director Reynaldo Tagudando said the new flagpole soon to rise in front of the Rizal monument is not just “ordinary,” but it is thicker and higher. “This is a different flagpole. In 1996, it only underwent repairs. What we are doing right now is replacing the entire structure,” he told Manila Bulletin. Machine To Raise Flag Importantly, he said that a machine will replace man in flag-raising ceremonies at Luneta Park. “This flagpole is mechanized,” the official added. Defending the DPWH project, he said the 32-meter flagpole will be replaced by a higher one, measuring 52 meters in height while its thickness is widened from 400 to 800 millimeters in diameter from the base. “The specifications, size, including its foundation were changed,” Tagudando said. Furthermore, the DPWH official pointed out that the flagpole itself is imported, making the project more costly than expected. The old flagpole will be transferred to Kawit, Cavite. Tagudando said that they only started working on the flagpole project this month and intend to finish it before December 30 in time for the observance of the Rizal Day. “This is part of the beautification of Rizal Park as requested by the National Parks Development Committee,” he said. Netizens took to social network Facebook to express their disgust over the alleged overpriced flagpole project. It became a top trending topic on Facebook after they attended the Million People March in protest of the lawmaker’s Pork Barrel in Luneta Park the other day. They even circulated a photo of the DPWH project billboard with a caption: “I called some engineer and contractor friends to ask how much it costs to replace the Luneta flagpole and I learned it should be around P150,000.” But Tagudando appealed to the public not to make a big fuss out of it and blame the DPWH. “There is nothing irregular on the project. It is not overpriced. In fact, it was bid out by South Manila Engineering District Office,” he said. onger with us.”
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 08:09:32 +0000
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