MMDA foreign-funded infra seen to make a go

Multi-million foreign funded infrastructure projects are now expected to finally go ahead at the Department of Public Works and Highways with the departure of Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando. The delay is said to be cause of the change of command in the first place.

This was actually what acting DPWH Secretary Florante Soriquez said will be his priority, when asked of his agenda in assuming the top DPWH position. Soriquez was in charge of these foreign-funded projects when he was still undersecretary. Sources said that during Fernando’s stay as concurrent head of DPWH, some 10 bidding schedules were canceled in February and March resulting in delays in many foreign-funded projects.

"Many projects were canceled by foreign lending institutions when we failed to start the project on a specified date because Fernando did not sign the papers," said a highly-reliable source. The delays appear to be the reason for the sudden relief of Fernando as DPWH head, a position which he had reluctantly accepted in January.

The relief appeared to have caught Fernando by surprise, too, as he claimed that he "neither had any call, suggestion nor any hint from the President" when asked by The STAR on April 25 about rumors of his possible replacement. Soriquez’s appointment was made public on April 27. Immediately afterwards, Soriquez said that primary in his actions as new DPWH head is to fast-track foreign-funded projects.

The appointment of Soriquez to the top DPWH position capped his two-year journey from relative infamy two years ago to the top of one of the Cabinet’s most coveted post.

In the two-year period since President Arroyo ascended the presidency, Soriquez rose from Central Luzon director–better known for his involvement in the Pinatubo megadike scam, to DPWH Secretary. From project director in Central Luzon since 1991 where he met and became familiar with President Arroyo and other political personalities in the present administration, Soriquez climbed into the DPWH leadership ladder in 2001 overtaking many of his one-time superiors. His graft case has been dismissed by then.

Shortly after EDSA 2, Soriquez became Assistant Secretary in March 2001 under then Secretary Simeon Datumanong and less than a year after, he was promoted to undersecretary under Secretary Bayani Fernando. In three months, he became the acting DPWH Secretary.

Sources at the DPWH said Soriquez may remain DPWH acting head until the end of the Arroyo administration in June 2004 enabling him to keep the position even if the opposition party prevails in the coming elections.