DOTC hit for delay in port projects

MANILA, Philippines - Two congressmen lambasted the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) yesterday for the “inordinate delays” in the implementation of airport and seaport projects in many regions in the country.

“There is a need for DOTC Secretary (Joseph Emilio) Abaya to improve his agency’s absorptive capacity, and project implementation and bidding processes,” Reps. Rodel Batocabe of party-list group Ako Bicol and Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes said.

They said project delays in any state agency are not consistent with the daang matuwid (straight path) advocacy and policy of President Aquino.

“I have no doubt about the honesty and integrity of Secretary Abaya, but some DOTC officials may not be trekking the daang matuwid,” Batocabe said.

He said opportunities for corruption arise when implementation and bidding processes take time to finish.

He said the DOTC has failed to complete projects within 144 days from the date of publication of the invitation to bid, as required by Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Law.

Batocabe said the Department of Public Works and Highways has a better track record than the DOTC.

“A review of the list of critical DOTC projects like the Bicol International Airport, rehabilitation of the Legazpi airport and key shipping ports show that these projects have been delayed by nearly five months on average. Some components of the new international airport in Daraga, Albay, have been overdue by more than nine months,” he said.