MANILA – Senator Raffy Tulfo raised serious concerns over the ₱657-million Mabuhay Underpass National Highway project in General Santos City, which he described as delayed, defective, and unnecessary.

In a privilege speech, Tulfo said the project, awarded to Vicente T. Lao Construction, broke ground in June 2022 and was scheduled for completion in September 2024 but remains unfinished.

“Isa sa talagang nakaka-bahala na reklamong tinugon sa akin ay ang Mabuhay Underpass National Highway sa Gen. Santos City,” Tulfo said.

He cited citizen complaints and site visits showing months of inactivity, misaligned column bases, uneven pavement, scattered construction materials, and unsafe passageways. Residents also reported worsening traffic congestion.

“According to the people of GenSan, the traffic they experienced was really due to poor traffic management. Therefore, the underpass was actually unnecessary,” Tulfo said, adding that proponents even planned to install LED walls to promote the underpass as a tourist attraction.

Tulfo described the project as “more than just a delayed project” but an “economic and social disaster,” noting that water seepage has turned portions of the underpass into what residents compared to a fishpond. He added that open lanes are now filled with potholes.

Citing Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) records, Tulfo questioned why Vicente Lao Construction, which submitted the fourth-lowest bid out of five, was awarded the project under Resolution No. 2022-03 despite having four other ongoing projects with “negative slippage” or delays.

The resolution was signed by several DPWH officials, including OIC Assistant Director Edgardo Garces, Atty. Michael Villafranca, Director of the Human Resource Administrative Service; Ernesto Gregorio Jr., Director of the Bureau of Maintenance; Alex Bote, Director of the Public-Private Partnership Service; Aristarco Doroy, Director of the Bureau of Construction; and Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations in NCR Wilfredo Mallari.

“Walang malinaw na paliwanag kung ano itong mga slippage na ito. Pero ang pag-award ng proyektong nagkakahalagang ₱657 million ay di na dapat binibigay sa mga ganitong contractor,” Tulfo said.

The senator announced that the Senate Committee on Public Services will conduct a hearing on Thursday, September 18, to investigate the matter and hold both the contractor and DPWH officials accountable.