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DPWH vows transparent bidding for P56.48-B projects this year


Bidding process for a total of 1,493 public works projects worth P56.48 billion for this year will be fully transparent, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Also, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson warned DPWH officials against engaging in "business as usual" deals (practice of exacting huge commissions), even as he called on various stakeholders such as contractors, power brokers, and politicians not to interfere in the bidding and awarding of projects. "Bidding should be competitive, no collusion, no favors, no rigging, no negotiated contracts. Any DPWH official found to have colluded with the contractors or any person in the bidding and awarding of contracts shall be dealt with accordingly. I am warning them," he said in a news release posted on the DPWH website Tuesday. Singson ordered DPWH field offices to fast-track the transparent bidding of these projects to take advantage of the good weather in many parts of the country during the summer season. The DPWH also sought the support of civil society organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other government officials to monitor and ensure that DPWH projects are bid out competitively. Though a transparent public bidding, the DPWH said it can achieve more than 20 percent savings from infrastructure allocation. Such savings can be used for additional projects, Singson said. To date, the DPWH has saved P577 million in government funds with the open, competitive and transparent bidding of 29 projects in the DPWH Central Office, he said. — LBG/KBK, GMA News

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