BACOLOD City – The city government is stepping up its efforts to hold construction firms accountable for delayed flood control and drainage projects in the city.
Mayor Greg Gasataya yesterday warned that erring contractors could soon face termination and blacklisting.
“I have directed the City Legal Office to initiate the process for possible termination of these contracts,” Gasataya said. “Contractors who fail to perform will not be tolerated. They may be blacklisted from future city government projects.”
The mayor said two drainage projects in Purok Nangka, Barangay 3 and beside the Pope John Paul II Tower at the reclamation area are now under review for possible contract termination due to significant delays. These projects were both awarded to the same contractor.
The City Mayor’s Office is also conducting a wider review of ongoing infrastructure initiatives, particularly flood control works under the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Projects that have already received mobilization funds but show no visible progress are also being investigated.
As Bacolod continues to battle perennial flooding, city government officials said these stricter measures are necessary to ensure that public funds are not wasted — and that residents are no longer left vulnerable during heavy rains.
Meanwhile, in a bid to ensure stricter oversight of government contracts, Gasataya has issued Executive Order No. 007 forming the Bacolod City Contract Termination Review Committee, which will evaluate and terminate procurement contracts that violate laws or fail to meet timelines.
The committee is chaired by City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph P. Chiu, with Bids and Awards Committee head Hermilo B. Pa-oyon serving as vice chairperson. The members include City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, City Planning and Development Office head Mary Jean Ramos, City Budget Officer Maria Imelda Williams, CEO head Engr. Loben Rafael Ceballos, Acting City Accountant Atty. Jeremae Ann Ceriaco, and representative from the end-user department.
Part of the functions of the committee is to recommend suspension of suppliers and service providers as provided by the revised Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of the Republic Act (RA) 12009, known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.
This move comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also sounded the alarm over questionable flood control projects nationwide.
In the latest episode of his “BBM Podcast,” the President warned that private contractors involved in anomalies could face sanctions, be blacklisted, and even be charged.
“We already have some names that are coming up,” Marcos said. “These companies will be required to explain how they used the funds for the projects.” (With reports from Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
