21 Palawan infra projects grossly overpriced, substandard - civil society monitor MANILA, Philippines - Grossly overpriced and utterly

substandard. This was how an investigating team from civil-society groups found 19 roads and two bridges funded from P420 million in royalties from the Malampaya gas project in Palawan. At the second hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday into the alleged misuse of P3.9-billion royalties by the Palawan government, Kaakbay Party-list chairperson Leonor Magtolis Briones presented the group's findings from its parallel investigation. Kaakbay members Engr. Alain Pascua, Engr. Daniel Galvan, and Nonnie Gicana Jeruta examined 19 infrastructure projects and did a more detailed examination of two more during their visit to eight areas in Palawan on January 15 to 18. It was found that the 10-kilometer Culandanum-Panalingaan road project, for example, costing P20 million, used free and available materials which were nevertheless charged to the project. There were "doubtful material quantity estimates," as well. The 2,700 bags of cement used for the project, according to documents checked by the team, exceeded the standard 1,118 bags prescribed by the Department of Public Works and Highways. The road looked more like a riverbed, said Briones. The Llabungan Bridge construction project, costing P19 million, also included free and available materials in its costing. It used substandard concrete, as seen in parts that had already eroded. If she were to take a truck to cross the narrow bridge, said Briones, she would be very nervous. It was also found that all projects except for one cost a uniform P18 million each, even they though they had lengths varying from 2 kilometers to 6.5 kilometers. "Obviously there was no basis for these amounts," said DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. "There was no detailed program of work that was put in place, so the amounts were all the same regardless of length or type of construction to be done. The amounts were distributed arbitrarily. As mentioned by earlier COA (Commission on Audit) findings, the proper procurement procedure was not observed." Singson said this was precisely the process that they are now correcting. Before, budgets would be approved before there were any details on the works to be done. Now, they require detailed programs of work before bidding. He added that they had suspended personnel based on orders issued by the Office of Ombudsman. The same office, however, lifted the suspensions six months ago.

Not just corruption, injustice too Meanwhile, Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Teofisto Guingona III reminded those present at the hearing that the investigation into the alleged misuse of the Malampaya funds was not just about corruption, but about the "gross injustice" done to a person who sought to reveal the truth about it. Radio broadcaster and veterinarian Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega was killed two years ago, allegedly because of his anti-corruption advocacy. "Let us not forget that someone died," said Briones. "We have to connect the dots. These events are connected." She added that if the Ortega case would not be brought to justice, members of civil society who monitored their government officials and the use of public funds would be fearful and lose the inspiration to keep doing what they do.