Probe delays in reclamation project, Marcos urged

MANILA, Philippines — An administration lawmaker has called on president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to look into the allegedly illegal and onerous changes made by DM Wenceslao Corp. in its contract with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for a reclamation project in Manila Bay.

“I think it would be best if incoming president Marcos would look into this matter,” 1Pacman party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda, who chairs the House committee on labor, said.

Pineda recently filed House Resolution 2611 seeking to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into DM Wenceslao’s September 1989 project in Manila Bay wherein the contractor, along with three other firms collectively known as R-1 Consortium, agreed to reclaim the area.

Pineda asked the House committee on good government and public accountability to probe the allegedly overpriced project of DM Wenceslao, which he said has been delayed in its commitment to finish the reclamation project.

R-1 Consortium, which is headed by DM Wenceslao, maintained that it has initiated arbitration proceedings with the PRA to settle outstanding issues and payment.

The contractor also clarified that it sent a notice of arbitration to the PRA, adding that the company has been waiting to be paid by the PRA for the reclamation in Manila Bay that was completed in 2008.

The PRA acknowledged the notice on May 26, according to DM Wenceslao.