New DPWH Bicol RD to assume post

• Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/2012/?p=22821
• Saturday, October 3, 2015

By Manny T. Ugalde

LEGAZPI CITY — The Bicol regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways will have a new regional director to replace Engr. Melvin Navarro who is due for re-assignment to the National Capital Region, sources at the DPWH said.

Reportedly not comfortable with his new assignment, Engr. Reynaldo Tagudando has to accept his Bicol assignment by virtue of a special order dated Sept. 28 duly signed by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Tagudando, whose previous assignment was as regional director in Region IV-B, is expected to assume his Bicol post this Friday, Oct. 2, with Navarro taking over his new post at NCR on the same day.

It is said that many of the senior engineers of the DPWH have been avoiding duty assignment in Bicol like a plague. This is allegedly due to heavy pressures being forced on them by corrupt politicians and contractors, like those involved in the implementation of the P700M calamity fund earmarked for Bicol, particularly in Albay, among others.

It is said that DPWH Bicol, through the years, has made multi-millionaires out of corrupt regional directors and district engineers, enterprising lady contractors, and even DPWH employees themselves who moonlight as contractors.

Those in the know would also not forget the mysterious killings of top DPWH Bicol officials. These include the shooting to death of then Regional Director Nestor Tria while waiting for his flight at the Naga Airport in Pili, Camarines Sur and Asst. District Engineer Floriano Sarmiento inside his office in Caanaman, Camarines Sur. Engr. Pedro Celebrado who was in charge of right-of-way claims during the construction of the Andaya Highway in Camarines Sur was also killed inside his home.

Another former regional director, Engr. DaniloManalang, while on retirement, was murdered in Pampanga by unknown assailants.