Tulfo hits contractor of defective GenSan underpass project

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo has questioned the implementation of the P657-million Mabuhay Underpass National Highway project in General Santos City, which was awarded to the Vicente T. Lao Construction.

In a privilege speech, Tulfo said the project, which broke ground in June 2022 and was supposed to be completed in September 2024, remained unfinished and riddled with defects.

Tulfo, chair of the Senate committee on public service, said the project was one of the most alarming among complaints brought to his attention.

He said that site visits and complaints indicated months of inactivity, misaligned column bases, uneven pavements, scattered materials and unsafe passageways. 

“According to the people of GenSan, the traffic they are experiencing was due to poor management of vehicle flow. The underpass was unnecessary. This project was not properly planned,” Tulfo said. “The project proponent said they installed LED lights along the underpass because they wanted the area to become a tourist destination. Some people really do not mind spending money that is not theirs.”

Tulfo said the underpass is more than just a delayed project because it has become an economic and social disaster.

He said residents likened the project to a fishpond due to water seepage even without rainfall.

Residents said that open lanes are full of potholes and traffic has become worse.

Citing documents from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Tulfo said Vicente T. Lao Construction offered the fourth lowest bid among five applicants.

He questioned how the contract was awarded to the company, noting  a major project with a budget of P657 million should not be awarded to companies like the Vicente Lao Construction. Tulfo has set a Senate inquiry on the matter today.

There was no immediate comment from the construction company.