Dizon: Lifetime ban for ghost project, substandard contractors

Newly appointed Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday contractors proven to be behind ghost projects and substandard infrastructure works will face a lifetime ban, without the need for investigation or lengthy procedures.

Speaking at a Palace press conference, Dizon said this was part of his discussion with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to ensure accountability in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Itong mga ghost project at substandard projects, kinlear ko na rin po sa ating Pangulo na itong mga contractor ng mga ghost projects na ito unang-una mag-iimpose po ako ng lifetime blocklisting ban immediately,” he said.

(Regarding ghost projects and substandard projects, I made it clear to the President that contractors involved in these will face a lifetime blacklisting ban immediately.)

Dizon explained that the punishment will be automatic.

“Kapag ang isang project ng isang contractor ay ghost, napatunayang substandard, wala na itong prose-proseso, wala nang imbestigasyon, automatic po blacklisted for life ang contractor na ‘yan at siyempre may kaakibat pong kaso 'yan,” he added.

(If a contractor’s project is a ghost project or proven substandard, there will be no process, no investigation — that contractor will be automatically blacklisted for life, and corresponding charges will be filed.)

He said that all evidence gathered against erring contractors and involved DPWH personnel will be turned over to an independent commission to be created by President Marcos.

“At lahat po ng ating makukuha ay ipapasa sa independent commission na itatayo po ng ating Pangulo. Sila po ang mag-iimbestiga at magpafile ng mga karampatang mga kaso laban sa mga DPWH, contractor, at iba pang mga kasama sa mga projects,” Dizon said.

(And all the evidence we gather will be turned over to the independent commission to be created by the President. They will investigate and file the appropriate cases against DPWH officials, contractors, and other people involved in the projects.)

Earlier in the day, Marcos said he would issue an executive order which will formally create the Independent Commission that will look into anomalies of flood control projects.

The DPWH chief said these measures aim to deter corruption and restore credibility in the government’s infrastructure projects.

Prior to this, Dizon also announced that he will order the courtesy resignation of all DPWH officials, from undersecretaries down to district engineers — as part of what he described as Marcos’ directive to “clean up” the department.

The DPWH chief said both measures are meant to deter corruption, restore credibility in the agency, and ensure that only honest and competent officials and contractors remain.

Address flooding problem

The DPWH chief also said that President Marcos directed him to urgently address the severe flooding seen in recent days in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

“Uulitin ko po, ang utos po ng ating Pangulo ay mag-clean house; linisin ang ahensiya. Pero hindi lang po iyon ang direktiba ng Pangulo, at hindi lang po iyon ang ating magiging trabaho sa DPWH. Kailangan din nating immediately ina-address ang mga napakabigat na problema natin sa pagbaha,” Dizon said.

(I repeat, the President’s order is to clean house; to clean up the agency. But that is not the only directive of the President, and that will not be our only work in the DPWH. We must also immediately address our very serious flooding problems.)

He described the recent flood scenes in Quezon City, Manila, and other parts of Metro Manila as “unacceptable,” noting that decades of neglect, faulty projects, and corruption have worsened the problem.

Dizon also said he will meet with the MMDA, Metro Manila LGUs, and local governments in flood-prone areas such as Bulacan in the coming days, as well as coordinate with the private sector for a “massive effort” to improve flood control systems. —AOL, GMA Integrated News