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DPWH to release report on Sorsogon projects questioned by Andaya


Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar on Wednesday said they will come up with a report next week on several Sorsogon projects that former House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. questioned recently.

Andaya earlier presented in a committee hearing a deposit slip that supposedly proved a payout was made by the government in favor of Aremar Construction Corp.

The lawmaker claimed that Aremar’s joint venture partner, CT Leoncio Construction and Trading, was just a front receiving commission fees for government projects. 

Andaya questioned the following joint venture projects handled by CT Leoncio and Aremar: Ariman-Casiguran Road for P47 million, Barcelona-Casiguran Diversion Road for P96 million, a tourism road in Bulusan National Park for P115 million, and a section of Daang Maharlika Road in Sorsogon  for P289 million.

Villar said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will investigate the said projects like other regular projects involving their agency.

“I had these particular projects that they mentioned. We will be able to come out with a report next week,” Villar said in an interview on ANC.

According to Andaya, the owner of Aremar Construction is related to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

However, Diokno said the DBM does not have any role in awarding government projects to contractors.

According to Villar, the DPWH is strict when dealing with contractors.

“The DPWH—we are the most prolific when it comes to blacklisting constructors. To date we blacklisted 14 contractors. We are very strict,” he said.

Meanwhile, Villar reiterated that no collusion happened over the P75 billion added by the Department of Budget and Management to the DPWH 2019 budget

"The procurement process is mandated by law. Obviously there should be no collusion at any stage. If there’s any evidence of any kind of collusion, then I would welcome anyone who would submit an evidence,” Villar added. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News

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