CONTRACTORS OF GHOST PROJECTS FACE LIFETIME BAN, LICENSE REVOCATION – NEW DPWH CHIEF

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said the agency will immediately move to blacklist erring contractors from government contracts and study the possibility of perpetually revoking their licenses, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to clean up irregularities in public works projects.

“Ang mga contractor nitong mga ghost project na ito, unang-una, mag-i-impose po ako ng lifetime blacklisting, ban immediately,” Dizon announced.

Dizon said there would be no more need for the DPWH to conduct a prolonged investigation once a project has been confirmed to be non-existent or substandard.

“Kapag ang isang project ng isang contractor ay ghost o napatunayang substandard, wala na po itong proseso, wala ng imbestigasyon. Automatic po blacklisted for life ang contractor na iyan. At siyempre may kaakibat din pong kaso iyan,” said Dizon.

Dizon said the DPWH will submit all its findings to the independent body to be created by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to investigate DPWH projects tainted by corruption.

“Apart from yung blacklisting, pati iyong lisensya, pwede din po yan irevoke,” Dizon said in a Palace press briefing when asked if perpetual disqualification of contractors’ licenses was part of his first order of business.

The new DPWH Secretary explained that reforms must go beyond blacklisting, stressing the need to overhaul processes within the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).

“Kaya kailangan po talaga natin marepaso at ma-revamp itong PCAB. Kasi iyan po ang body na gumagawa niyan lahat,” he said, referring to the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board.

Dizon added that he would discuss the matter with Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque.

According to the DPWH chief, the agency can act on blacklisting and disqualification, while license revocation requires further measures.

“Mag-uumpisa po tayo sa blacklisting, disqualification, kasi yan po ay pwedeng gawin ng DPWH lang,” Dizon said.

“Pero iyong pagtatanggal ng lisensiya at perpetual– since nasanay na rin naman po ako magtanggal ng mga lisensiya ng mga driver, siguro magtatanggal na rin tayo ng lisensiya ng mga contractor,” he added.

Dizon’s marching orders from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. complements the President’s earlier announcement about soon establishing an independent commission tasked with investigating and recommending actions on irregularities in public projects, particularly within the DPWH.