MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will impose stiffer sanctions against erring contractors to ensure the timely completion of government projects and uphold public safety during construction.
This as the DOTr issued a memorandum that government contracts must stipulate that work delays of more than 30 days would result in non-payment, cancellation of contract, and the blacklisting of the erring contractor.
Under the memorandum, the government has the option to get the services of another contractor to finish the project, in addition to the grounds provided in Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.
The DOTr will not transact with irresponsible project contractors as this results not only in delays but also cause inconveniences to the public, according to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“Kung hindi niyo kayang gawin ng maayos at hindi kayo sumusunod sa timeline, ‘wag na kayong kumontrata sa gobyerno. Iyong mga tinatamaan diyan, ayus-ayusin niyo na ang pagtatrabaho, dahil hindi kami magda-dalawang isip na tanggalin kayo dyan. Hindi namin sasayangin ang pera ng taumbayan sa mga gaya ninyo (If you cannot do your work right and cannot comply with the given timeline, do not work with the government. Do your jobs well because we will not hesitate to terminate your contract. We will not waste public funds on you),” Tugade said in a statement Tuesday.
The order shall take effect immediately and will be cascaded to contractors who are engaged with government projects.
The memo was issued in compliance with the concern raised by President Rodrigo R. Duterte during a recent Cabinet meeting on the delays in government projects caused by the lack of working personnel. (PNA)
