Sen. Cynthia Villar (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday criticized the Philippine Reclamation Authority’s (PRA) handling of construction projects.
During the plenary session, Villar shared her experiences with the PRA.
In one instance, Villar recalled that they bought a 1,500-square meter land worth P78 million from the PRA during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to construct a hospital.
The PRA, however, did not allow the construction as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has not released the money to them.
“I just want to inquire why this Philippine Reclamation Authority is not serving our country for [the] public good?” she asked.
“So, I’m asking this question: Why these things happen in government? Hindi ba ‘pag government-to-government, wala nang problema ‘yan? Bakit kailangan niya pa makita ‘yung pera ng DBM bago niya ma-start ‘yung hospital namin?” she added.
(So, I’m asking this question: Why do these things happen in government? Shouldn’t there be no problems if the project is government-to-government? Why do they need to see the DBM’s money before starting with our hospital?)
In another instance, Villar said they bought land from the PRA to build a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district office.
Again, they were prohibited from building the district office as the DPWH has a P4-billion debt to the PRA in connection with the Cavite Expressway.
“Gusto niya bayaran muna ‘yung P4 billion bago kami i-allow mag-build ng district office doon sa lupa na binili namin sa kanya by DPWH. Tama ba ‘yun?” Villar questioned.
(They want us to pay P4 billion before allowing us to build the district office on the land we bought. Is that right?)
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva assured the lady senator that Thursday’s budget deliberations will discuss her concerns.
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