DPWH chief to resign if 'Yolanda' bunkhouses are overpriced

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday denied reports that there was overpricing in the construction of bunkhouses as temporary shelters for families affected by Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

"Overpriced means that there are specifications detailed, given by DPWH and the unit prices of these bunkhouses are above what normally would be in the market place. That’s overpriced," DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson said at a televised press briefing in Malacañang. "I can tell you there’s no overpricing here."

Confident with this claim, Singson said he is ready to quit his post if proven wrong as he goes to Tacloban City in Leyte on Tuesday to check the construction of the bunkhouses.

"If it is overpriced, the following day I will submit my resignation to President Aquino," Singson declared.

He hinted that local politics may be behind the allegations of overpricing.

"I suspect there’s politics involved in Eastern Samar. Hanapin niyo na lang dun. Local politics," Singson said.

Singson said the bunkhouses are temporary homes good for two years until the permanent shelters are completed. So far, the government has completed 126 of the 222 bunkhouses targeted to bulit in the affected municipalities.

After the designs were configured as suggested by international agencies, one bunkhouse now has 12 rooms or units that will each accommodate a single family with three to four members.

One bunkhouse will now cost P78,587 or P65,715 per square meter for every family.

No collusion but 'underspecs' possible

The Cabinet official also denied allegations that there was collusion between supposed favored contractors and politicians, who would purportedly get a 35-percent kickback from the construction of the bunkhouses.

But Singson said this cannot happen since the government has yet to pay the contractors.

"Wala pa naman siyang (contractor) tinatanggap sa aming bayad. Saan manggagaling yung 30 to 35 percent na ipamimigay nung contractor? Siya na nga ang tumutulong, siya pa yung tutukaan. Kung ako naman yung contractor, bakit pa ako pupunta riyan," Singson said.

However, he admitted that there might be a possibility of "underspecification" in the construction of bunkhouses, meaning the contractors may have not followed the standards set by the DPWH.

Singson said these contractors won't be paid if they fail to rectify their mistakes and meet the agency's specifications.

He said the issue has been discussed with rehabilitation czar and former Senator Ping Lacson, who also mentioned similar complaints.