Monday, April 09, 2007 Use of cheap cement on Baguio infra banned
AMID growing suspicion of hoarding of high-grade Portland cement in Northern Luzon, acting Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. has prohibited the use of second-class cement products in the city's infrastructure projects.
In Administrative Order (AO) 035-2007 he issued, Bautista said: "The City Government must be firm in upholding the provisions of government infra contracts. We cannot allow the quality of projects to be sacrificed (by going without) the first-class Portland cement."
Portland is the standard cement type required by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in all government construction projects.
Earlier, the House committee on trade and industry chaired by Albay Representative Edzel Lagman received reports that infra project contractors have been struggling to meet project specifications due to the squirreling away of Portland supply.
Apparently, the first-class mixture is only available en bulk and not in the regular 40-kilogram sack.
Lagman asked the DPWH and the trade department to gather intelligence reports and submit recommendations on the contractors' claims.
The House investigation came on the heels of a privilege speech delivered by Baguio Representative Mauricio Domogan exposing the practice of first-class cement hoarding, which in turn caused the swell in the prices of second-rate mixtures.
Domogan was tipped off by local contractor William Go, who claimed his business experienced heavy beating with hoarders ostensibly capitalizing on the fabricated shortage of Portland cement in the country.
Contractors bid to undergo infra projects based on the specifications drawn for the purpose by a government agency.
While the lowest bidder wins, project undertakings have become a losing venture with the steady rise in the price of cement, especially during the summer months when construction activities are at their peak.
Bautista said he would not allow the local government to be cheated.
"The lack of first-class cement poses a serious threat. The quality of cement reflects the value the City Government gives to the citizenry's lives and limbs," he said.
He also belied cement manufacturer Holcim's claims that its bulk cement "is the only Portland cement" saying, "obviously, it does not produce Portland that comes in a 50-kilogram bag available in retail outlets."
"Holcim is obviously manipulating the ordinary consumer by making it appear that its Excel-branded cement is first-class when in fact, it is a second-rate product," Bautista stressed.
"Surprisingly, the cost of Excel is exorbitant considering its class," the mayor added. (IL)
