THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Iloilo City District Engineering Office has given notice to contractors who are behind schedule in road projects, with two recommended for contract termination. Engr. Rodney A. Gustilo, head of DPWH-Iloilo City, reported during a multi-stakeholder dialogue on June 6 that of the 71 national and local road projects being implemented in the city, 16 have incurred delays due to contractor’s fault as of May 31. The two contractors recommended for termination are: JHJ Construction, which was awarded two projects — Iloilo Airport Direct Road with a -62.87% slippage, and the reconstruction of the Timawa Avenue road with a -69.7% slippage; and Legacy Construction Corp. for San Juan road with a -43.77% slippage. Mr. Gustilo said he has already submitted his recommendation to the DPWH-Western Visayas regional office after the contractors failed to justify the delays by citing challenges that were also faced by other contractors. “I don’t believe in their reasons… For those contractors which we perceived to have been negligent, we will not hesitate to recommend (the termination),” he said. The dialogue was held to address public outcry over the worsening traffic congestion caused by the protracted infrastructure works. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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