Documents sought on DPWH flood deals

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways has begun gathering documents that could shed light on possible anomalies in 19 Japanese-funded flood control projects.

Public Works Undersecretary Jaime Pacanan said a fact-finding committee is requiring Philip Meñez of the Project Management Office (PMO) for Major Flood Control and Drainage Project-Cluster II, to submit documents that would help in an investigation in three days.

The documents, Pacanan said, should include a list of all the post “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” short-term infrastructure rehabilitation projects.

Pacanan said they have 10 days to come out with a report based on the documents submitted.

The committee is also asking for copies of the invitation to apply for eligibility to bid, minutes of the pre-bid conference, a list of the representatives of the construction firms declared eligible to participate in the bidding, and duly signed and notarized project contracts, among others.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded the 19 flood control projects, amounting to P934 million.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson had ordered the negotiated contracts cancelled.

Singson was questioning why the projects were done through negotiated contracts and why they were signed on June 18, ahead of the special allotment release order (SARO) on June 25.

“The directive of Secretary Singson is to gather documents relative to the 19 questionable contracts. We will look at contract documents and supporting papers to determine how they came up with these contracts,” Pacanan said.

He said that apart from Meñez, they might also ask other DPWH officials such as former secretary Victor Domingo and the head of the Bids and Awards Committee to provide details relevant to the investigation.

“We would see if the BAC has any participation. I understand it was the BAC who recommended the negotiated contract to the Secretary (Domingo). If they need to testify, we would summon them,” he said.

“All the signatories in the contract documents based on the order would be invited to shed light (on the issue),” he added.

If they refuse to cooperate, then it would be up to Secretary Singson to exercise his authority over them, said Pacanan.

– With Artemio Dumlao