ALL public biddings for locally-funded infrastructure projects all over the country are taking a break — at least until after the anti-fraud mechanisms are put in place, says Secretary Vince Dizon.
“I will order today a pause to all the ongoing bidding of all locally funded projects nationwide,” Dizon said in an interview following the ceremonial turnover of the Department of Transportation’s leadership to Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
Dizon however stressed that the suspension in the conduct of bidding of infrastructure projects — including flood control, roads, bridges, among others by the national, regional and district engineering offices, would resume after two weeks.
PRESIDENT’S WISH
The DPWH chief cited the need to review its bidding process for locally funded projects.
“I’m giving our new team two weeks maximum to put safeguards in the bidding process,” said Dizon, even as he cited the need to comply with the President’s wish — “The President does not want any more money of the government, of the DPWH, thrown out to the river.”
However, foreign-assisted projects will continue.
“Because we are confident these [foreign-assisted projects] are in order since our foreign funders are monitoring these,” he clarified.
NO OTHER CHOICE
Dizon also hinted at rebidding previously awarded flood control projects deemed as non-existent.
“We have no choice.”
Prior to Dizon’s assumption as Public Works and Highways Secretary, his predecessor, resigned Secretary Manuel Bonoan released a validated list of flood control projects.
On the list are 160 flood control projects. Of this number, 15 were supposedly “ghost projects.”
It was not certain though whether Bonoan voluntarily resigned or asked to quit from his Cabinet post amid an ongoing probe into the probable cause of the massive floods in Metro Manila and many other parts of the country.