Newly installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon vowed to impose a lifetime blacklisting on contractors proven to have implemented “ghost” or substandard infrastructure projects.
“Ang mga contractor nitong mga ghost projects na ito, unang-una, mag-i-impose po ako ng lifetime blacklisting, ban immediately,” Dizon said in a Malacañang press briefing on Monday, September 1.
Dizon further stressed that the sanction will be automatic.
“Kapag ang isang project ng isang contractor ay ghost o napatunayang substandard, wala na itong prose-proseso, walang imbestigasyon. Automatic, blacklisted for life ang contractor na ‘yan. May kaakibat na kaso pa sila,” he stated.
Apart from blacklisting, erring contractors will also face legal charges to hold them accountable under the law.
Dizon said the DPWH will turn over its findings to an independent body to be created by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to investigate projects tainted by corruption.
“Sila po ang mag-iimbestiga at magpa-file ng mga karampatang kaso laban sa mga kawani ng DPWH, sa mga contractors, at sa iba pang kasama dito sa mga project na talaga naman ‘tinapon na lang sa ilog,’ para gamitin ko lang ang salita ng ating Pangulo,” Dizon said.
The public works chief also revealed that thousands of complaints have already been filed with the President through the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website in recent weeks.
“Hinding-hindi po natin pwedeng talikuran itong mga sumbong na ito. Kaya kailangan po isa-isahin ‘yan, i-check, i-verify. Kapag po ‘yan ay ghost, automatic po ‘yan,” he stressed.
“Kung ang mga proseso po ngayon sa DPWH ay hindi nag-a-allow para sa automatic blacklisting at mayroon pang mga proseso, kahit ghost na ang proyekto, babaguhin po natin ang mga prosesong ‘yan. Hindi na po natin kailangan mag-imbestiga kung ang project ay ghost,” he added.
Sweep revamp of PCAB
Dizon also announced a “sweeping revamp” of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), citing its alleged role in a “huge web” of irregular flood-control projects.
“Nakausap ko na rin ang ating Pangulo, at si Sec. [Ma. Cristina] Roque ng DTI. Magkakaroon po tayo ng sweeping revamp sa tulong ng secretary of trade and industry at ng Office of the President ng PCAB,” Dizon said.
He noted that issues involving PCAB had been raised in past Senate investigations, including by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, as part of the systemic problems that have caused hardship for Filipinos in Bulacan, Metro Manila, and across the country.
