DPWH chief warns against extortionists

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson. INQUIRER file photo

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson has warned against extortionists using his name for nonexistent Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-sponsored golf tournaments and other fake fundraising activities.

“Should anyone knock on your door, send e-mails or text messages for the purpose of asking donations for a hoax DPWH golf tournament or any fundraising project, please report to DPWH telephone number 536-3477, or text to 2920 or contact our Call Center Hotline 165-02,” the DPWH public information division said in an advisory.

In a statement, Singson on Wednesday said he does “not allow anybody to solicit funds or get favorable considerations either personally or through e-mail, text messages or letters.”

The DPWH head said he had personally received reports that some unscrupulous individuals have been dropping his name and that of the DPWH to solicit sponsorships for nonexistent golf tournaments, among other supposed fundraising activities.

The same individuals, he said, have been targeting project contractors and other people doing business with the DPWH.

Singson noted that “with national road projects being implemented according to approved plans and specifications by better equipped and qualified contractors with closer inspection and monitoring by civil society groups, some unscrupulous individuals are now thinking of other ways to make easy money from contractors and other business people.”

“Our commitment is to ensure the quality and safety of our national road network by upgrading and maintaining the roads properly, not to sponsor golf tournaments,” he emphasized.

The DPWH has also encountered attempts by some powerful individuals acting as fixers to solicit projects and facilitate budget releases for DPWH projects, he said.

“Please do not entertain fixers or brokers for projects that are anyway included in our regular budget,” said Singson.