A local contractor called the attention of the DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan last week over what he described as corrupt activities and rigged biddings at the DPWH regional office’s Bids and Awards Committee.
In a March 24, 2025 letter sent to the infra chief, a copy of which was obtained by the Tribune, Al-Jon Construction Development, Inc. (ACDI) President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander C. Ang Hung informed Sec. Bonoan that regional projects implemented in Catanduanes which are no longer in accordance with government standards.
He particularly singled out the use of required equipment as provided during the post-qualification of contractors.
“It is sad to state that despite the alleged strict inspection of contractor’s equipment, the equipment on site are very minimal and unoperational (sic) which is not in compliance with what is required during post-qualification,” Ang Hung stated.
He disclosed that contractors implementing regional projects in Catanduanes are not locally-based but rather favored contractors from other provinces, citing three of them as allegedly having a conflict of interest considering the relationship of its board of directors.
The letter also mentioned that most of the DPWH regional office’s projects are being implemented by subcontractors in violation of the DPWH’s mandate.
It likewise claimed that rigged biddings have contributed to the suffering of the people and caused so much damage and losses to the government.
Almost all of the projects implemented by the Bicol regional office required a concrete batching plant with updated calibration certificate and accredited by the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards.
“But nowhere in Catanduanes has anyone seen any batching plant owned, leased or mortgaged to the implementing contractors,” Ang Hung pointed out.
He asked why the mainland contractors continue to be post-qualified when they do not have their concrete batching plant in the island province for their projects involving concrete works.
“Are their batching concrete in the mainland then transporting by transit mixers through ferry boat with a travel time of more or less three hours?” the contractor queried.
Ang Hung emphasized that such batching plants are not mobile and would require recalibration and recertification if transferred or reinstalled in other places.
In the letter, he attached copies of status of contract reports of the contracts awarded to GCI Construction in the Bicol region involving voluminous concrete works that require a concrete batching plant.
Also sent as evidence were copies of Instructions to Bidders (ITB) and Bid Data Sheets (BDS) issued by the DPWH regional BAC requiring contractors of such projects to provide a concrete batching plant with a capacity of 30 cubic meters with upgraded calibration certificate.
The local contractor expressed disbelief why the same BAC always “deliberately and intentionally” disqualified his firm, Al-Jon Construction,” from bidding for the projects when it has the only certified concrete batching plant operating in Catanduanes.
So much damage has been done by the Regional Office to Catandunganons in terms of infrastructure projects because of fixed biddings and awards to favored contractors that the economy has collapsed and most residents are relying on government aid to survive, Ang Hung stressed.
He asked the DPWH’s top official to put a halt to the corrupt activities and help the poor people of the island.