2 DPWH execs dismissed over bridge project irregularities

TWO DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in Negros Occidental have been found guilty of Grave Misconduct and dismissed from public service over the irregularities on the rehabilitation of two bridges in Cauayan.
The Office of the Ombudsman also said it found probable cause to charge the two officials, identified as officers-in-charge district engineer Haydee S. Alunan and assistant district engineer Elsie V. Sabay, with two counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The Ombudsman said the respondents ordered to begin rehabilitation of the Mabua bridge in Barangay Poblacion and Bagambayan bridge in Barangay Tiling on February 10, 2014, with target completion date on June 29, 2014.
The contract was awarded to OPELL Construction and Development Corporation.
Investigation showed that in an ocular inspection on December 3, 2015, the Field Investigation Office reported that the bridges were still unfinished, which accounts for an 18-month delay.
“There was an unreasonable delay of at least one year and six months in the completion of the projects [as] an undisputable fact established by the evidence on record which respondents deliberately set aside despite delay in the completion of work by more than 380%,” the Ombudsman stated. — Charmaine A. Tadalan