TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PNA) - A bill filed by Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd District, Bohol) will, if enacted to law, implement reforms that particularly seek in curbing corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other government institutions involved with infrastructure projects.
Aumentado said House Bill 3361 aims to curb, if not eradicate completely, graft and corruption in the DPWH, among other agencies, and in the private sector, particularly those dealing with such agencies, by avoiding public funds wastage which would otherwise go to alleviate poverty in the country. In his explanatory note, the Bohol lawmaker said the bill echoes President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III's mantra against graft and corruption, particularly the President's campaign slogan, "Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap" (No corruption, no poverty"). Pointed out Aumentado, "In this bill, President Aquino's sincerity in his drive against graft will be provided with more teeth in the DPWH and other government institutions undertaking horizontal infrastructure such as roads, bridges and airports." The DPWH in the past had been reported to be graft-ridden with sub-standard infrastructure projects, hence the bill. Aumentado, who completed three terms as congressman and three terms as governor before his current stint in the 15th Congress, said the alleged corruption in the DPWH starts from the planning and programming project stage, and all through the bidding and awarding of contracts, and until projects implementation and payment of contractors.
The proposed reforms seek to address the "root of corruption," imposing stiffer penalties with special disqualification to hold any public office as deterrents for both government personnel and private parties in order to avoid any infraction of the law. Nine acts are punishable under this proposal, namely, deliberate planning and programming of any project to favor a certain contractor, consortium or joint venture; or grossly erroneous programming and planning wherein the project cannot be completed because it is to be constructed in an unsuitable place; and accommodation of a request or instruction by any party other than the planning officials' superior, resulting to damage and prejudice to the government.
