Transparency in infra bidding saved gov’t P8B, says DPWH

An additional P8.2 billion have been saved in the past 15 months by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through transparent and competitive bidding of infrastructure projects, bringing to P18.8 billion the agency’s total savings during the Aquino administration.

This was disclosed to the Inquirer last weekend by the DPWH’s Public Information Division (PID), which said the funds would go to “urgent government projects” identified by the Department of Budget and Management.

Elizabeth Pilorin, PID director, did not identify the projects, noting “it’s the DBM that’s responsible for the allocation of the DPWH savings.”

Between July 2010 and June 2012, the DPWH had saved about P10.6 billion “through transparent and competitive bidding of roads, bridges and other state infrastructure projects,” she pointed out.

Public disclosure

“With fully transparent biddings, the DPWH can achieve more than 20 percent in savings from its budgetary allocations,” Pilorin said.

Quoting Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, she noted that the agency had made good on its promise of “full transparency in operations” with regular updates on government projects, as well as public disclosures of project irregularities involving agency personnel, as well as their counterparts in private contractors involved in these projects.

In a report, a copy of which was furnished this paper, the DPWH reported that “reformed public works processes have resulted in the elimination of wastes and the curbing of corruption, a more prudent and objective selection of projects and the strict adherence to the policy requiring the preparation of work programs with detailed estimates for each capital outlay instead of indiscriminate releasing of public funds.”

The agency also said “road projects are now being implemented according to approved plans and specifications by better-equipped and -qualified contractors with close project inspection and monitoring by a network of civil society organizations and Church-based groups,” among others.

No more ‘business as usual’

Last week, Singson reminded DPWH regional and district engineers to “strictly adhere to full transparency in the agency’s bidding process.”

Stressing “no more business as usual,” he warned any agency officials found not complying with bidding rules and regulations “will be held liable and sanctioned.”

In a memorandum, he also emphasized that contractors should “conduct themselves in a professional manner as they participate in any public bidding and avoid the practice of collusion” with DPWH personnel.

He also called on private watchdog groups to “be the government’s partner in ensuring that all public works projects are above board.”

Singson has repeatedly asked contractors, as well as politicians and power brokers, not to interfere in the bidding and awarding of infrastructure projects.