House body backs early bid of infra projects next year

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The House committee on public works recommended to the Department of Public works and Highways and Department of Budget and Management bidding of next year’s infrastructure projects at the start of the year once the P1.816 trillion national budget will be approved on time so that it will be easier for the implementing agency to start the projects during the summer season.

The recommendation of the House committee chaired by Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan and co-chaired by Baguio City Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara came after complaints of sectors from legislative districts in the country was lodged before the House of Representatives to devise schemes so projects will be implemented during the summer months and not during the rainy season which previously happened that created serious inconvenience among most people nationwide.

Under the committee’s recommendation which was agreed upon by almost all lawmakers nationwide, Cosalan said the DPWH will be authorized to bid out all projects which are funded in next year’s budget in January so that the winning contractor could already be determined.

However, the notice of award and notice to proceed to the winning contractor will be held in abeyance until such time that the DBM shall have released the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) shall have been issued once the national treasury shall have collected the needed funds for the purpose by March or April

According to Cosalan, the duration by which the bidding process of the projects shall have been reduced, thus, upon the release of the SARO, the contractor could already proceed with the project during the summer months which is the best time to implement infrastructure projects instead of during the rainy season where more problems on inconvenience of the public and delays in the project are encountered due to heavy downpour and monsoon rains that impede the smooth implementation of works.

For his part, Vergara said if the winning contractor of certain projects is willing to execute a risk letter indicating his desire to implement the project even without the notice of award and notice to proceed, then it will be more advantageous to the government and beneficial to the public since the project will surely be completed before the rainy season and will be used by the people in time for the rainy season.