Gov't to supply needs of public infra projects

The government will directly undertake the exploration, development, utilization and disposition of gravel, sand, clay and other related minerals required for government infrastructure projects, Secretary Roberto Aventajado, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects, said yesterday.

He said this move is contained in Executive Order No. 200 issued by President Estrada last Jan. 17.

Aventajado said the order would fulfill the government's contractual obligation with the foreign consortium building the $1.1-billion San Roque Dam, the largest infrastructure project in the country.

He said the government's contract with the San Roque Dam's builders stipulates that the government shall directly explore and supply the project's gravel and sand requirements.

The order, he said, puts to rest malicious insinuations by certain quarters that the government was favoring certain private contractors to undertake quarrying activities for the San Roque Dam project.

He said he pushed for the issuance of EO 200 precisely to dispel such unfounded allegations.

The huge sand, gravel and clay requirements of the dam project have sparked intense interest among private contractors and suppliers.