SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/9 February) – Surigao del Norte Rep. Guillermo A. Romarate Jr. (2nd district) flared up upon noticing that some of his infrastructure projects have gone past the completion date.
The lawmaker attributed the delay to “maneuvering” of some contractors and has called for an investigation on his other projects funded through his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or more popularly known as “pork barrel.” He cited as example his covered court project in Barangay San Juan in Surigao City, which was supposed to be finished late last year.
The congressman told reporters over the weekend he smells something fishy. “It’s people’s money, and they’re fooling the people. They can’t do that because some day, the people will hold them accountable,” Romarate said.
Linda A. Uypala, 1st district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said the project in Barangay San Juan cost less than P2 million.
She said the contractor is tasked to do the refurbishing of the covered court, particularly on the ceiling because it is being eaten up by rust.
Uypala said the contractor of the project, LBRO construction, had filed for a suspension order because the supplier of materials is based in Davao City.
She said that the contractor had purchased the needed equipment for the project, but delays halted the construction.
“We checked this project and we found that there is still lack of materials and I hope that the contractor will cope up,” she said.
The said project is supposed to be finished December 27 last year.
Reports said that the winning contractor has allowed its license to be used by someone, who in turn does the work.
Uypala noted that subcontracting is illegal, but some contractors have been doing it. (Roel Catoto / MindaNews)