Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to promptly pay performing contractors and closely monitor government projects could help avert a looming infrastructure crisis.
Lacson said the President’s order could address the growing reluctance and, in some cases, outright refusal of contractors to join public bidding for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.
“The President’s order to facilitate the payment of outstanding obligations to contractors who delivered on their contracted government projects will help prevent a looming infrastructure crisis brought about by the ongoing reforms in the DPWH in the proper utilization of the national budget,” he said.
Earlier, Lacson said the DPWH should be prepared to deal with contractors unwilling to participate in project bidding, particularly at a time when construction material costs have declined.
He said some contractors had grown accustomed to excessive profits after advancing payments to certain lawmakers and officials from the DPWH and other government agencies.
Malacañang said Monday that the President ordered government agencies to ensure timely payment to contractors with satisfactory performance records and accountability in project implementation.
According to the veteran lawmaker, contractors who regularly transacted with lawmakers for commissions often resorted to overpricing projects to recover advance payments extended to legislators.
He cited the case involving the Discaya group, which he said allegedly attempted to collect from lawmakers after providing advance payments as contractors and threatened to include them in a ledger if they refused to pay.
Citing testimony from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Lacson said the Discaya group approached several lawmakers and some regional directors and allegedly sought to collect between P30 million and P40 million from them.
“Why should it be charged to the national budget if a contractor advances money to someone? That’s on them. It’s like a charge for experience. You take the risk,” Lacson said.
