Contractors in housing mess face Senate contempt

MANILA, Philippines — Private contractors alleged to be involved in the construction of substandard and unfinished housing projects for victims of disasters may be cited in contempt for failing to appear at Senate hearings.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, chairman of the Senate committee on urban development, housing and resettlement issued show-cause orders to some of the private contractors yesterday.

“If they continue to snub the Senate investigation, they will be cited in contempt. Why are they hiding if they have nothing to hide?” Ejercito said. 

Over 40 developers and contractors failed to attend the Senate hearing yesterday.

The Senate committee is investigating alleged irregularities in the implementation of housing programs for victims of recent calamities, including Tropical Storm Sendong in 2011, Typhoon Pablo in 2012, the Zamboanga siege in 2013 and Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. 

Citing government figures, Ejercito said around 200,000 affected families still have no permanent shelter.  

“There are reports of irregularities... in these disaster areas including, but not limited to the slow implementation of resettlement projects, use of substandard materials... unsuitable location of resettlement areas and lack of basic utilities, like water and electricity,” Ejercito said.