3 foreign-assisted bridge projects suspended

MANILA, Philippines - Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson has recommended the deferment of three foreign loan agreements and the implementation of three bridges projects with companies in Spain, Austria and United Kingdom (UK) pending the result of the investigation of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

In a letter to President Aquino thru Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Singson recommended the postponement of the projects with Spanish firm Centunion SA; Austrian’s Waagner Biro; and UK’s Cleveland. 

The projects were under the National Roads Bridge Replacement Project, which were approved by the National Economic and Development Authority last Sept. 4.

“It would be more prudent to defer the finalization of the loan agreement and the implementation of these foreign supplied bridge projects until we are able to clarify some potential issues on all foreign supplied bridge projects, particularly those entered by the past administration,” Singson said in his letter dated Oct. 4. 

The Senate blue ribbon committee started its probe this month following the privilege speech of Sen. Sergio Osmeña on alleged anomalies in the P111-billion bridges project under the Arroyo administration.

 Singson said the DPWH needs time to verify and secure various data and certifications, which could be raised in the Senate probe.

He said it should be proven that the proposed new projects are “not anomalous” and that they  “serve the best interest of the country.”

“Included as condition of these agreements is that the designated supplier was competitively selected among qualified suppliers from country of funding source,” the DPWH secretary said.

“We will need some time to secure from donor country documents to support the selection process,” Singson added.