THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bacolod City has apologized to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for its failure to coordinate with the latter in implementing road closure in some areas of the city.District Engineer Jaime Javellana, in his letter to the SP dated April 22, 2022, said they are committed to maintaining regular coordination with the local government.“We would like to apologize for not being able to request from the SP for the temporary partial road closure of various city roads because we are not aware of the city ordinance dated October 9, 2013 or an Ordinance prescribing the guidelines on temporary road closure requests and private entities and for other purposes,” he said.Javellana added that their contractors coordinate with the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) when there is a need for the temporary partial closure of a road for construction or rehabilitation, for assistance in proper traffic management and traffic diversion in order to avoid traffic jam and congestion. Councilor Dindo Ramos, chairperson of the City Council committee on transportation, earlier asked Javellana to explain the rampant closure of the city roads without any coordination and authority coming from the city government as required under the Local Government Code.No administrative complaint for abuse of authority will be filed against Javellana before the Office of the Ombudsman, the councilor said.“We are very sorry for the public inconvenience experienced due to traffic jam and congestion especially during peak hours, which is due to the simultaneous implementation of various road and drainage projects,” Javellana said.He said they already encouraged all their contractors to start early and simultaneously implement all their projects, if possible, in order to take advantage of the favorable good weather condition, provided it will not prevent or hamper the free flow of traffic.“The contractors are expediting their activities now, in view of the coming onset of the rainy season during which construction activities will be delayed or slowed down,” Javellana added.The DPWH official said various road and drainage projects implemented in the city are aimed and intended to improve the existing road and drainage as well as to provide better riding comfort and help solve the drainage or flood problem here.Councilor Renecito Novero, majority floor leader, said they also accepted the apology of the DPWH.The agency also asked for a copy of the city ordinance for their reference and guidance in the preparation of their request for the temporary partial road closure in some areas in the city, Novero said.“They are sincere so there’s no need to collide with our fellow public officials,” he added.