Zambales axes P1-billion projects by Discaya firm
IBA, Zambales — Two infrastructure projects worth close to P1 billion were axed by the Zambales provincial government after the contractor’s license was revoked amid government investigation of anomalous flood control projects.
The projects were for the construction of a P499.6-million five-story new capitol building and a P499-million sports complex track and football stadium, said engineer Domingo Mariano, a consultant for the provincial government.
Both project contracts were bagged by St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., one of the nine companies owned by the couple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya whose licenses were revoked by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) last week.
“The termination of the contracts was immediately ordered by Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. right after PCAB revoked the license of St. Gerrard on Sept. 2,” Mariano said in a media briefing here on Friday. September 12. “As early as September 5, there’s already an order for termination,” he added.
Aside from St. Gerrard’s projects, another construction work here was also cancelled as the contractor was placed under scrutiny for alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Mariano said Gov. Ebdane likewise terminated the contract of Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., which was in the list of 15 contractors that reportedly secured 20% of flood control projects nationwide.
Hi-Tone won the bidding for the P399.7-million project for the four-story President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital annex.
Mariano, however, clarified that both St. Gerrard and Hi-Tone’s projects here are satisfactory and ahead of schedule.
“We don’t have any problem with them as far as quality or work is concerned. You cannot see anything substandard or out of project specifications. Unfortunately, they have problems elsewhere,” he said.
Mariano said that for the capitol building project, St. Gerrard has already completed 78.89% of the construction, although it has been paid only 70% of the contract price. The firm has meanwhile finished 48% of the sports complex project, he said.
He said the Commission on Audit will determine how much more would be paid for each project, after a technical evaluation of the work accomplished is conducted.
Mariano added that while the provincial government has suspended the projects, these will resume once new contractors are selected through bidding.
“Either that, or the provincial government will take over by administration,” he said.
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