Talisay bans contractor after fatal road accident

Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas will ban AR Adlawan from undertaking any project of the local government.

"As long as I am the Mayor of the city, dili sila ka kuha og contract diri sa Talisay, " he said.

AR Adlawan is the contractor of the drainage project in Barangay Bulacao that did not set up a barricade and safety signs. Because of the lack of safety signs, a 29-year-old engineering graduate fell into the digging and died.

Gullas called the attention of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)Cebu 2nd Engineering District to do something about the incident.

Marie Nillama, DPWH7 information officer, said DPWH-Cebu 2nd Engineering District already sent a letter to the contractor telling them to explain the Bulacao incident.

Gullas said that before the project started, he requested that safety barricades and warning lights be installed around the area.

City engineer Gamaliel Vicente Jr. said that since 2016, AR Adlawan has not handled any project of the city.

He explained that during bidding, they will check the eligibility of the requirements submitted by all contractors who will join and they will also take into consideration Gullas’ pronouncement.

In 2003, AR Adlawan won in the bidding of a minor project in the city.

However, Vicente said that they cannot prevent the contractor to work on projects in the city if they are hired by DPWH.

Vicente also said that they have been reminding the contractor to provide enough safety measures like steel plates to cover open holes, lights, warning tape and signs that would inform motorists of the ongoing construction.

On the other hand, Nillana revealed that DPWH has reminded their contractors to put up early warning devices on their road construction projects in order to prevent accidents.

Nillama said that they have been receiving complaints about the lack of safety signs and warning devices from the public.

The FREEMAN tried to reach the management of AR Adlawan for comment but to no avail.