By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Gerard Opulencia to explain the supposed irregularities at the Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila.
In a show cause order (SCO) issued Friday night, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon has been given the official five days to submit his response.
“In this regard, you are hereby directed to submit within five days from receipt of this Order your written explanation under oath as to why no administrative disciplinary action should be taken against you in light of the foregoing findings,” the order read.
Dizon had called the P774-million project useless during an inspection on Sept. 24 after discovering that it never functioned properly since its completion in 2020, despite being fully paid.
The DPWH chief also discovered that instead of mitigating flooding, the facility has exacerbated flooding in the area, with residents reporting significantly worsened water levels.
The project also lacked the required building permit and power connection, preventing energization by Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and raising questions of regulatory compliance.
It was also discovered that an additional P94 million upgrading project was initiated, with further proposals for an additional P200 million, despite the unresolved defects and absence of proof of functionality.
Lastly, there was an apparent lack of coordination with the City Government of Manila in the planning and implementation of the project.
“These circumstances, if left unexplained, may constitute gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, inefficiency, and/or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, in violation of civil service laws, rules, and regulations,” the SCO said.
“Failure to submit the required explanation within the prescribed period shall be construed as a waiver of your right to be heard, and this Office shall proceed to resolve the matter based on the evidence and records on hand.”
Baguio DEO ordered to explain ‘rigging’ of bidding process
Dizon, meanwhile, ordered the suspension of and issued an SCO to six members of the Bids and Awards Committee-Technical Working Group of the Baguio City District Engineering Office (DEO) for supposed anomalous bidding.
In a memorandum, Dizon directed the DEO personnel, led by District Engineer Rene Zarate, to clarify the alleged rigging, fixing, and manipulation of the bidding process in infrastructure projects.
He also ordered Cesario Rillera, chief, Planning and Design Section; Nora Delos Santos, chief, Maintenance Section; Jessie Ramos, Engineer II, Planning and Design Section; Frances Vincent Saloria, Engineer II, Planning and Design Section; and Frigilda Legaspi, Administrative Officer II, to answer the allegations.
“This refers to a complaint received by this department alleging your participation in the rigging/fixing/manipulation of the bidding process for infrastructure projects in Baguio City DEO in exchange for one to three percent (1% – 3%) of the total contract or project cost,” read the memorandum dated Sept. 26.
“The said manipulation of the bidding process is allegedly done to favor contractors or companies used as dummies by the spouses and family members of certain employees of the DEO,” it added.
The six DPWH employees have five days to explain why they should not be slapped with administrative charges.
Dizon warned them that failure to respond would mean giving up their rights to be heard.
“Failure to respond within the stipulated time shall be construed as a waiver of your right to explain, and this Office shall resolve the matter based on the available records and evidence,” he added in the memorandum.
In August, Zarate declined the Baguio City Council’s invitation to attend a forum investigating alleged gross overpricing in several infrastructure projects, including cat’s eye highway lights, yellow road barriers, solar-powered streetlights, and rock netting installations.
He reasoned that he and other engineers were also required to attend a regional staff meeting, rendering them unavailable.
