CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Four allegedly "dubious" flood control projects worth millions of pesos in Pampanga province have been cancelled by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The four projects are among 15 others cancelled by the DPWH in other parts of the country.
The flood control projects include that in Arayat, worth P77,315,428.96 being undertaken by L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.; one in Candaba, worth P78,714,659.59 under Northern Builders; another in Barangay Bodega Section, Floridablanca worth P27,447,484.14 under Northern Builders; and the fourth in Guagua and Lubao, worth P16,451,747.20, also under contractor L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
DPWH Chief Rogelio Singson said last week that the flood control projects of the previous administration were cancelled due to questionable date of negotiations.
The projects' negotiated contracts were reportedly entered last June 18, less than two weeks before the term of the previous administration expired.
"These were concluded, negotiated, and signed-off. Yet the Saro (Special Allotment Release Order), the allotment releases by the Department of Budget and Management was only issued June 25," he said.
"So the contracts were signed even before the letter of authority was released," he noted, adding that the undertakings were earlier approved without a public bidding.
The DPWH chief created a four-man team, headed by Undersecretary Jamie Pacanan, which was tasked to investigate the people behind the contracts.
The 19 flood control projects cancelled amounted to P934 million.
The other projects are in La Trinidad, Bokod, Itogonon and Bugilas, Benguet Sabangan, Mt. Province and Tabuk, Kalinga worth P53,065,412.74 and under contract with Ferdstar Builders Contractors; Ilocos Norte -- P35,111,912.02 under A. De Guia Construction; Sitio Departe Barangay Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan -- P91,493,729.45 under Tokwing Construction; Sitio Bato, Barangay San Vicente, San Manuel, Pangasinan -- P228,749,682.31 under Northern Builders; Camalaniogan and Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan -- P25,845,331.01 under M.M. Construction); Paitan Section Bay and Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya -- P68,617,154.18 under Royal Crown Monarch Construction and Supply; Sta. Fe, Kayapa and Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya -- P27,416,017.95 under Christian Ian Construction Corp.; Paombong and San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan -- P9,139,201.72 under P.O.N. Construction; Province of Bulacan -- P41,114,825,65 under Northern Builders; San Felipe and Iba, Zambales -- P42,542,444.58 under Tokwing Construction; San Marcelino, Zambales -- P19,195,055.26 under Arrowhead Construction; Moncada and Bamban, Tarlac -- P32,015,365.91 under R.A. Pahati Gravel and Sand and LSD Construction and Supplies; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija -- P18,292,974.84 under L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc; Bongabon and San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija -- P19,191,123.52 under Royal Crown Monarch Construction and Supply; and Balayan and Lemery, Batangas P22,388,000 under A.D. Construction. (Jovi T. De Leon/Sunnex)