BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the Commission on Audit (COA) recently cleared the officials and personnel of the Department of Public works and Highways–Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) from the alleged implementation of substandard projects which are now the subject of cases filed against them by some individuals.
In a statement, the DPWH-BCDEO stated that concerned officers already submitted their answer to the alleged unsubstantiated complaint lodged by some officials before the Ombudsman on December 16, 2022 regarding the off-carriage way improvement at Bonifacio road, Baguio City.
The DPWH-BCDEO disclosed that an inspection conducted by the COA-CAR’s Regional Technical Service Group (RTSG) found that the project was 100 percent implemented and that the contract price was reasonable amidst unfounded, unfair and allegations of being substandard.
The agency argued that the factual findings of an independent constitutional commission will surely be afforded great weight by the investigating body considering that it is in support of all the legitimate claims of the DPWH-BCDEO that the implementation of the project was done above board.
Included in the appropriate pleading filed on January 30, 2023 was the COA-CAR’s independent report which stated that ‘please be informed that the above-mentioned project was inspected by the RTSG of the COA-CAR and it was found to be 100 percent completed. However, there were various deficiencies on the work undertaken, nevertheless, the said deficiencies were corrected by the contractor.’
The DPWH-BCDEO is also facing another complaint before the Ombudsman involving the by-pass and diversion roads along Magsaysay Avenue which was awarded to the joint venture of Tango Romeo General Construction and MG Lualhati Construction Corporation which are both highly acclaimed contractors known for the quality of completed projects nationwide.
While the copy of the second complaint has not yet been received by the DPWH-BCDEO, the COA-CAR already issued a clearance and concluded that the project was 100 percent completed and pursuant to plans and specifications.
Moreover, the DPWH central office quality assurance unit also came out with similar observations to that of the COA-CAR which also is lodged with the authority to perform assessment of the quality of construction and compliance with plans and specifications of both ongoing and completed projects of all DPWH offices.
With the positive findings and declarations made by concerned offices and the independent constitutional body, the DPWH-BCDEO is determined to fulfill its commitment in executing its function as the infrastructure arm of the government in providing quality and safe public infrastructure facilities in the city amidst the machinations, bullying and insensitivity being employed by self-proclaimed graft busters who cannot even clean their ranks of arrogant and corrupt individuals surrounding them.
The COA-CAR findings will definitely serve as concrete evidence that will rebut the insinuations of inexperienced technical people who were used to substantiate such self-serving complaints against the agency. Contributed article
