He also said President Macapagal Arroyo wants the 24/7 dictum practiced in construction work in the region: Which means in good weather, there should be three shifts of workers in 24 hours, seven days a week.

President Arroyo, Ebdane said, has personal interest in Eastern Samar, one of the country’s poorest provinces, and that despite difficulties, she makes sure that infrastructure projects in the area get funded.

Ebdane, along with DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, Regional Director Angelito Twano, and other top Region 8 officials inspected the most-talked-about dilapidated roads of Eastern Samar as well the viaduct project in Agas-agas, Sogod, Southern Leyte during a recent visit.

Ebdane explained that good weather is important during road construction since it is not advisable to grade, compact the base coarse, and cement and asphalt the roads while it is raining.

"So that in Samar, what is being done is making the base cement-treated," which is also expensive, he said.

"What really some people want to happen, as the projects are being rushed while the weather is uncooperative, is for us to make miracles in doing the projects. There are just things we can do and can’t do at a certain weather condition," the secretary said.

For the weather in Region 8, which is mostly "wet and very wet", the solution is for contractors to put in more high-tech equipment so that they can work also at night when the weather is good, he said.

And if possible, Ebdane said contractors should provide a shelter or covering structure on poured cement like what is done in other places to ensure the early completion of high-quality roads.