Sotto, Lacson back prompt payment for performing contractors

Senate leaders on Tuesday expressed support for the order of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. for all government agencies to guarantee that the contractors who have performed well in their projects get paid immediately.

For Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, honest contractors should not be grouped together with those who are not. 

“I concur. We cannot lump the legitimate and honest contractors with the questionable ones. Records will show who’s who,” Sotto told reporters. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, meanwhile, said that the order will help address the risk posed by the reluctance of contractors to participate in biddings for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

“Spot on. Amidst reluctance, even refusal of many contractors to participate in public biddings for the DPWH infrastructure projects, the President's 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,” Lacson said.

Malacañang had said that Marcos’ order emphasized the administration's firm resolve to improve the economy after it initiated the investigation into anomalies in flood control projects.

The President issued the order during a meeting with the economic team last week in which he tasked officials to “move forward” and prioritize the swift and efficient implementation of government infrastructure projects. —RF, GMA Integrated News