DPWH blacklists 7 erring construction firms

MANILA, Philippines — Seven construction companies have been blacklisted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including firms controlled by detained contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, fugitive Zaldy Co and other entities linked to the flood control controversy.

Following the termination of contracts over severe defaults and illegal practices, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon approved administrative sanctions against the contractors, in a series of department orders signed Oct. 9.

YPR Gen. Contractor and Construction Supply Inc., a firm linked to the Discayas, is perpetually blacklisted over its third offense after defaulting on a multipurpose building project in Bulakan, Bulacan.

Discaya-linked firms suspended for one year are Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Development Corp. and Elite General Contractor & Development Corp, all of which are operating in the same office complex along F. Manalo street in Barangay Bambang in Pasig.

The DPWH suspended Alpha & Omega for defaulting on the Manila Bay rehabilitation program’s geo-engineering structures for Baywalk outfalls and pumping stations.

St. Gerrard Construction defaulted on road safety lighting facilities along Aklan West Road.

Elite General defaulted on the National Tobacco Administration building project in Quezon City.

In Mimaropa, Co’s Sunwest Inc. has been suspended for one year following a termination for breach of contract on the Mag-asawang Tubig River road dike flood mitigation project in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro.

In Bulacan, Malolos-based SYMS Construction Trading owned by state witness Sally Santos has been suspended for two years for unlawful deeds relative to contract acquisition and implementation of the Bocaue Municipal Jail accommodation building project.

Quezon City-based Wawao Builders has been suspended for one year for similar unlawful acts involving a flood control structure along Calero-San Juan-Sto. Cristo rivers in Malolos.

Dizon clarified that the blacklisting orders take effect immediately and do not relieve erring contractors of civil, administrative, or criminal liabilities, including performance bond forfeitures and government cost recoveries.