Church groups urge Singson: Probe Kalinga road projects

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, -- Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson was urged by 14 church groups in this province  to investigate construction projects worth millions of pesos which they said, were not being properly implemented. 

“We the undersigned are Ministers of the Gospel implementing the Values Formation and Moral Recovery Program of the government in our province, would like to inform you of the complaint of our people about the implementation of DPWH projects here in the province of Kalinga,” said the petition letter- signed by Rev. Eduardo U. Dauz, MRP-Kalinga chairman and leaders of the churches in a letter dated June 20.

These included The Valley Cathedral/Centro Tabuk, Tabuk River of Life Ministry, Callagdad, Char-ig Baptist Mission, Free Believers Bangad, Kalinga First Alliance Church andUbbog.

Others were Chillrin Ministry, Miracle Revival Church, Alinang, Church in Detion Ministries, T.V.C Lacnog, P.F.W.B.C Maledda, IPH, Tabuk, Agbannawag/Lung-ayan, WCI Ipil, TVCPob. Tabuk and Witnesses For Christ, Inc.

“These huge projects are not properly implemented as per program of work, as to quality and prescribed requirements of DPWH on equipment and technical personnel.”

The petition-letter added: “This is true in the case of the Kalinga-Abra road project more particularly along Balbalan, Kalinga area. We have been hearing reports that the different section awarded to a certain Tokwing Construction and WERR Construction were not actually undertaken by these two construction firms but by BHM construction firm which by capability is not qualified. How come this is allowed by your office?”

Singson was told there was rumor a local construction firm will also be the one to undertake continuation of the road project worth P300 million which may be possibly awarded to a certain FIAT Construction, the single bidder out of five bidders that was not disqualified during the bidding process of the said project which, they said, is rumored to have been used as front by said favored local contractor.

“How come that only one construction firm is actually undertaking or will actually undertake all those several projects? Even assuming that a local construction company is allowed to subcontract such projects, it is too impossible for it to accomplish properly and timely considering the fact that these are all huge projects. Technically, the said local construction is not capable or is not allowed to implement all these projects.”

The local construction firm is also reportedly undertaking other projects under DPWH-Cordillera Administrative Region aside from projects awarded to Tokwing Construction and WERR Construction.

They said the P300 million project would soon be awarded to FIAT Construction.

“In view of the above, may we please request immediate investigation of the matter and immediate stoppage of such uncalled and unjustified practice in the implementation of DPWH projects in our province.

“If this kind of practice will continue, this will only cause unnecessary delay and poor implementation of government projects and thereby defeat its noble intention to uplift the economic well-being of the community,” Singson was told.

“We have reported the matter because we firmly believe that this is once in a lifetime opportunity for our province to be given this kind of development project and we cannot pretend blind and just let these things happen to our detriment. Thank you and we are very hopeful that this request be favorably acted upon,” the petition letter ended.