MANILA, Philippines — The Provincial Board of Misamis Occidental has asked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar to investigate alleged anomalies in the conduct of public biddings for infrastructure projects in the province.
In Resolution No. 249-21 issued in April, the provincial board urged Villar to cause the investigation of the DPWH Misamis Occidental First District Engineering Office, particularly its OIC-District Engineer Maria David, as well as officers and members of its bids and awards committee (BAC) and technical working group.
It was Provincial Board Member (PBM) Ruvy Ala who exposed the alleged “suspicious circumstances of the award of infrastructure projects” by DPWH Misamis Occidental First District Engineering Office in a privilege speech on April 12, according to the resolution.
The resolution noted that projects seemed to be awarded not to the lowest bidders as it also cited that “an apparent pattern has somehow emerged from these biddings.”
“With the generous discounts offered by other bidders, it is a wonder why grant the project to the bidder who gives the least amount of discount to the government,” it stated.
The resolution mentioned a disqualified bidder of a project that has complained of not receiving a response or advice from the BAC regarding their motion for reconsideration. In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, Ala pointed out that the issues raised in the disqualification of the contractor were already resolved, hence, their appeal for reconsideration.
“To consider sana, ‘yung heavy equipment na gumana naman after few days. Saka minor lang na ano eh, for a triple A construction, ‘yung heavy equipment is not an issue. ‘Yung slippage nila ay na-correct nila through DPWH din,” she said.
“Speaking of slippage, itong kung sino ang nakakuha ng award, kinuquestion namin ‘yung slippage din,” she added, noting that the other contractor had ongoing projects in nearby towns which are allegedly beyond the deadline.
Speaking to INQUIRER.net over the phone on Wednesday, David said they have received and forwarded the complaint to DPWH’s central office.
“Anytayin na lang po natin kung ano ang reply ng central office with regards to that,” she said. (Let’s wait for the response of the central office with regards to that.)
When asked if she denies the allegations stated in the Provincial Board resolution, David said: “Kung may pananagutan ang DPWH sasagutin naman po ng DPWH,” she said. (If the DPWH has liabilities, then the agency will answer for it.)
“This is normal, lahat naman sa bidding mayroong magrereklamo. Anyway, kung may investigation, haharapin ng district. Kumpleto naman ang district ng documents when it comes to bidding,” David added. (This is normal for all biddings, that someone would complain. Anyway, if there is an investigation, the district would face it; the district has complete documents when it comes to bidding.)
Ala, however, said that it is not normal for an “AAA” construction company to object this way.
“It’s not normal when triple A construction companies react negatively.,” she pointed out. “Kasi if everything is in black and white, mayroong maayos na explanation, then professionals ‘yung mga triple A constructions, they wouldn’t react this way,” (If everything is in black and white—documented—there is a proper explanation, then triple A constructions are professionals, they wouldn’t react this way.)
The Provincial Board resolution further noted a radio interview of Misamis Occidental 1st Dist. Rep. Diego Ty, who expressed concern over contractors from other districts taking part in the bidding for projects in the first district.
He said contractors of projects in the first district do not participate in the bidding for projects in the second district.