DAVAO-based P.L. Sebastian Construction has vehemently denied it is involved in “ghost projects” particularly involving the National Irrigation Authority (NIA).
Mary Mae Sebastian, one of the registered owners of the firm, said in a statement her family’s firm has long been a partner of the government in development and as such, they have participated in biddings and subsequently were awarded nine projects.
Sebastian made this clarification amid a pending Senate investigation into allegedly anomalous NIA projects recently exposed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo.
Sebastian also reiterated all their projects with the government have been transparent and completed on time.
Moreover, the materials they used were in compliance with standards and the terms of reference, she added.
P.L. Construction, Inc. was established in 1981 by Petronilo L. Sebastian Sr. or more popularly known as “Sir Nilo” and is now being managed by his son, Engr. Petronilo Sebastian Jr.
The company is rated AAA—the highest ranking—in the General Engineering and Building Contractor of the Philippine Contractors Accreditations Board (PCAB) of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The contractor is also known as a “Large B” in the General Engineering and Building Category under the Contractor Registration Certificate (CRC) of the DPWH.
Among the projects awarded to PL Sebastian was the Construction / Improvement of Maguinadanao-Sultan Kudarat Bdry. Lebak-Kalamansi Road under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from May 2009 to December 2011;
Construction/ Improvement of Malabang-Sultan Gumander Road under the DPWH from September to December 2007, Contract Package 3 Compostela-New Bataan-Liboton Road, Compostela Valley under the DPWH from December 2000 to November 2003;
Construction of River Protection/Flood Control Project under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from December 2005 to December 2006, Parang-Barira Road Upgrading Project in the Municipality of Parang and Barira, Maguinadanao under the GEM2/USAID from February 2006 to March 2007.
Also among the firm’s projects are the Construction of Baobo Diversion Dam, Right and Left Main Canals and Appurtenant Structures for Southern Philippines Irrigation Sector under the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) from March 2007 to August 2008;
Construction/ Improvement of Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia Bukidnon Road under the DPWH from June 2008 to February 2011, Concreting of Matanao-Kiblawan-Padala Road Package including RROW in Davao del Sur under the DPWH from March 2018 to January 2019, and the Widening (2 to 4 lanes) of Maniki Bridge and approaches along Tagum-Panabo Circumferential Road in Davao del Norte under the DPWH from July 2018 to November 2021.
The Sebastian family said it was not an easy feat to manage and grow such a huge company, which “traces its humble roots to the trust and confidence of its clients through the years.”
Aside from participating in government projects, Mary Mae Sebastian said they also have numerous private clients.
The firm said they are willing to cooperate in any legislative investigation in aid of legislation and assist the government in identifying if there are any ghost projects.
Sebastian said they will not gamble and tarnish the good reputation and image of the company that they have been preserving since their inception in 1981.