DPWH legal counsel: No suspension yet for construction firms
ROXAS CITY – The legal counsel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office said yesterday that they have not yet received an order relative to the suspension of several construction firms handed down by their central office.
Lawyer Mary Grace Lim told the local media here that the suspension order will take effect upon receipt by the concerned contractors, thus, it will not affect their eligibility to engage in government projects at present.
Earlier, Board Member Rommel Lastimoso expressed concern that Kirskat Venture, which is one of the suspended construction firms by DPWH central office, still engage in government projects.
Engr. Leodigario Labao of Kirskat Venture said that the suspension of their construction firm stemmed from his failure to meet the deadline of the bidding schedule in Negros Occidental.
He clarified that he was not suspended because of his projects in the second district of Capiz adding that he already filed an appeal at DPWH central office.
Meanwhile, Lim said that Engr. Nilo Gavia, who was recently promoted as full-fledge district engineer in the 2nd engineering district, said that the declaration of the Sangguniang Panlalwigan (SP) that he (Gavia) was “persona non grata” does not affect his promotion.
Lim was here yesterday to represent DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis during the SP question hour, however, the session was not pushed through due to lack of quorum.
Asis was invited by the SP to shed light about the alleged irregularities in 2nd engineering district particularly the road concreting which was complained by the alleged ‘whistle blower’ Gene Divino as substandard.
Gavia was recently declared “persona non grata” by the SP for ignoring SP invitations to attend the session for several times.
Board Member Ricky Martin said that he was surprised that Gavia was promoted as full-fledged engineer despite his failure to honor SP invitations last February.