DPWH chief warns public on fund-raising scams using agency name

Secretary Rogelio Singson File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — “Don’t be fooled. Get the name and other details, and let me know for immediate and appropriate DPWH action.”

The warning was issued by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson as he advised the public anew about unscrupulous people, as well as non-government groups, using his name and that of the Department of Public Works and Highways for non-existent Christmas-related agency raffles, sports events and other fake fund-raising activities.

In a statement, Singson clarified over the weekend that the DPWH was “not associated with, nor endorsing any fund-raising activity.”

He recalled that during a recent meeting with DPWH regional and project directors, he “alerted them about several groups claiming some sort of affiliation with the department in soliciting contributions from private individuals and business firms.” An undisclosed number of these groups are supposedly based in Metro Manila.

“Everything they’re doing is misleading … Our contractors, consultants and suppliers should be made aware that we do not authorize such contributions or donations,” he emphasized.

He told persons or groups doing business with the DPWH: “If you’re contacted by any persons identifying themselves as my staff, or by a person claiming to be Secretary Singson or other DPWH officials, don’t be fooled. Get the name and other details, and let me know for immediate and appropriate DPWH action.”

Singson condemned the “continuous work of unscrupulous individuals and groups dragging my name in their deceptive practice of fund-raising.”

He urged “those who received fake DPWH sponsorship tickets or solicitation letters” to notify Elizabeth Pilorin, chief of the DPWH Public Information Division (e-mail address: [email protected]), or the DPWH Stakeholders Relations Service (telephone numbers: 302-9196, 304-3370, 304-3280 or 304-3279).

Early this year, the DPWH head warned against similar bogus fund-raising activities, urging the public not to entertain invitations and requests about them.

“Our mandate is building roads, bridges and other national infrastructures. We are not, in any way, involved in any fund-raising activities. We will not allow and will never tolerate these unscrupulous persons or groups to destroy the image of the DPWH,” he said in a statement.

Sometime in April, Singson disclosed he had personally received reports that some unscrupulous individuals had been dropping his name to solicit sponsorships for golf tournaments and other sports events.

The same persons, he said, had been targeting DPWH project contractors and suppliers.

These individuals and groups “have been dragging the names of DPWH officials in a bid to destroy the continuing efforts of the department to transform and follow President Aquino’s Daang Matuwid (good governance) crusade,” he added.