MANILA: Senate leaders agreed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately pay contractors of public infrastructure projects who are “of good standing.”
“I concur. We cannot lump the legitimate and honest contractors with the questionable ones. Records will show who’s who,” said Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Marcos earlier ordered the release “as soon as possible” of payments to contractors of public infrastructure projects who are “of good standing” as part of his government’s commitment to hit economic growth targets this year, Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a briefing on Monday (Feb 2).
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson also agreed with the President, saying it will prevent a looming infrastructure crisis.
“Spot on. Amidst reluctance, even refusal of many contractors to participate in public biddings for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure projects, PBBM’s (Marcos) 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.
Lacson said it will definitely encourage other good contractors to participate in public bidding for government projects.
“In the same vein, erring contractors must be punished by withholding, even nonpayment, penalties and the filing of criminal cases against them, including seizure of performance bonds on improperly and undelivered or ghost projects,” he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
