Bases dev’t agency asks ‘whistle-blowers’ to sue wrongdoers in expressway project
By Albert B. Lacanlale -- Sun Star
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A top official of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has urged contractors who claimed to have been deceived by a BCDA official into forking out millions to secure subcontracts in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP) to come out in the open and file formal complaints against the alleged wrongdoer.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya said the state-owned firm would open up an investigation into the allegations if the complainants will come forward and execute sworn statements.
“This is the only way to determine whether, indeed, there were irregularities in connection with the project,” Abaya said.
He said the BCDA will invite the National Contractors Association of the Philippines (NCAP), the Philippine Contractors Association (PCA) and the Japanese consortiums in charge of the SCTEP civil works, to a meeting to find out the truth.
“We will let the axe fall where it should,” he added.
The BCDA chief said he had heard similar reports in the past but could not make any independent verification since there were no formal complaints. He assured the contractors and the supposed BCDA official involved in the irregularity of full transparency in any investigation.
“However, we must avoid witch-hunting and observe due process,” he said. “We have endeavored hard to keep the SCTEP above board because this is a very important flagship project of the government, and we are still on track to finish the project by the end of 2007.”
Abaya said although subcontractors can approach the BCDA with regard to the SCTEP, the BCDA will ultimately refer them to the Japanese contractors who have the final say and the responsibility to complete the project on time.
“The BCDA would promptly endorse to the proper courts findings of any irregularity. The Authority will never tolerate illegal activities,” Abaya said.
In the past, the BCDA has caused the transfer, away from the project, of some BCDA personnel who have similarly been accused of wrongdoings while investigations were ongoing.
Abaya said while at present there is a slight slippage in the SCTEP’s construction timetable, the Japanese contractors have a commitment to finish the project on time. He added that the contract for the SCTEP provides for a penalty clause that will make the contractors pay a stiff amount for every day of delay in the project completion.
He also explained that the BCDA continues to strengthen the monitoring mechanisms for the SCTEP, including giving the contractors and consultants the opportunity to appraise the BCDA board about the project status as well as the problems they encounter.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A top official of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has urged contractors who claimed to have been deceived by a BCDA official into forking out millions to secure subcontracts in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP) to come out in the open and file formal complaints against the alleged wrongdoer.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya said the state-owned firm would open up an investigation into the allegations if the complainants will come forward and execute sworn statements.
“This is the only way to determine whether, indeed, there were irregularities in connection with the project,” Abaya said.
He said the BCDA will invite the National Contractors Association of the Philippines (NCAP), the Philippine Contractors Association (PCA) and the Japanese consortiums in charge of the SCTEP civil works, to a meeting to find out the truth.
“We will let the axe fall where it should,” he added.
The BCDA chief said he had heard similar reports in the past but could not make any independent verification since there were no formal complaints. He assured the contractors and the supposed BCDA official involved in the irregularity of full transparency in any investigation.
“However, we must avoid witch-hunting and observe due process,” he said. “We have endeavored hard to keep the SCTEP above board because this is a very important flagship project of the government, and we are still on track to finish the project by the end of 2007.”
Abaya said although subcontractors can approach the BCDA with regard to the SCTEP, the BCDA will ultimately refer them to the Japanese contractors who have the final say and the responsibility to complete the project on time.
“The BCDA would promptly endorse to the proper courts findings of any irregularity. The Authority will never tolerate illegal activities,” Abaya said.
In the past, the BCDA has caused the transfer, away from the project, of some BCDA personnel who have similarly been accused of wrongdoings while investigations were ongoing.
Abaya said while at present there is a slight slippage in the SCTEP’s construction timetable, the Japanese contractors have a commitment to finish the project on time. He added that the contract for the SCTEP provides for a penalty clause that will make the contractors pay a stiff amount for every day of delay in the project completion.
He also explained that the BCDA continues to strengthen the monitoring mechanisms for the SCTEP, including giving the contractors and consultants the opportunity to appraise the BCDA board about the project status as well as the problems they encounter.
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