3 DPWH execs sacked over 8 percent commissions

MANILA, Philippines — Three officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) second engineering district in Pampanga were relieved from their posts yesterday for allegedly demanding commissions of up to eight percent from government contracts.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced the administrative relief during his inspection of the Candating flood control project in Arayat, Pampanga.

The officials were identified as Ranilo Magtoto, chief of maintenance; and Arnold Domingo and Jefferson Guinto, both from the district’s construction section.

“They have been relieved and suspended, and we will conduct a full-blown investigation to determine whether the report I received – that they were asking for a percentage from project funds – is true,” Dizon told reporters in Filipino.

He said the information came from a source he declined to identify.

If evidence shows the three officials were involved in corruption, Dizon said criminal complaints would be filed against them, similar to the cases faced by former Bulacan first district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, who are charged with graft and malversation before the Sandiganbayan.

Meanwhile, Dizon said a retention basin must be built to prevent strong water currents from directly hitting the collapsed river dike in Barangay Candating.

Authorities are also studying the possible relocation of residents living near the river.

FMR construction

In a related development, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to begin construction of P33 billion worth of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) by April.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA is finalizing the FMR guidelines.

These are expected to be completed and submitted to the Department of Budget and Management within the first quarter. Once approved, Tiu Laurel said the budget for the FMRs will be transferred to the DA to start construction.

The DA is also consulting contractors’ associations and coordinating with local government units willing to partner with the department in implementing the projects. — Jasper Arcalas, Christine Boton, EJ Macababbad