ARMM to sue 16 firms for failing to finish buildings

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government is set to file cases against 16 contractors that failed to complete the construction of school buildings four years after the contracts were signed. 

Based on records released by the ARMM, the 16 construction firms failed to ensure the completion of school building projects as specified in contracts signed in September 2011 with the regional government, which was then under acting governor Ansaruddin Adiong.

“School-building projects do not take years to accomplish,” said Amir Mawallil, ARMM spokesperson.

“Based on the contracts, a school building is a one story building with just two to three classrooms. Surely, it doesn’t take four years to finish one school building, given this specification. We have previously met with these contractors and informed them in several meetings that their negligence is unacceptable,” he said.

Mawallil said running after contractors who failed to fulfill their contracts is the regional government’s way of affirming its commitment to effect meaningful reforms and end corruption in the region.

The Hataman government has previously identified the regional offices of the Department of Education and Department of Public Works and Highways as the two most corrupt agencies in the ARMM during past administrations.

Mawallil said that delayed completion of projects is clearly unacceptable and is a disservice to the people of ARMM.

The latest case was filed last December 15 against Unayan Builders and Construction Supply (UBCS) which failed to finish six school buildings in Lanao del Sur.

“Out of the six school buildings it committed to build in 2011, not one building was finished,” said Mawallil.

Following the investigation of the regional government, it was found that a number of school building projects have been pending completion in different ARMM provinces for years.

Mawallil said that the ARMM regional government is committed to go after negligent contractors. “We are also currently reviewing past contracts to see if there are any more cases that require us to file projects of specific performance to compel contractors and make sure they fulfill their duties, as agreed upon with the regional government,” Mawallil added.

Meanwhile, the ARMM has passed the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy (MMA) Act 325, or the Regional Public Works Act of 2016 which authorizes the appropriation of P10.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2016 for the region’s DPWH office.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and Datu Roonie Sinsuat, Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) speaker, signed the law with regional legislators witnessing the event.

It is stated in the Act that consistent with the 2016 National Expenditure Program, the public works budget shall be used in the construction, development, upgrading, and operation or maintenance of roads, highways, bridges, water supplies, flood controls, ports, airports and other infrastructure excluding buildings.

The appropriation will be effective even beyond fiscal year 2016, or until fully released, obligated and disbursed for the purpose.

Governor Hataman said the DPWH-ARMM regional office will implement the projects, or these may be decentralized to district engineering offices.

Status of project implementation, based on the approved program of work, project specifications, and time frame of completion will be validated by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee that would include RLA members or representatives.

It also allows the release of mobilization fund of at least 15% for a project implemented by contract, and also with a memorandum of agreement, and 50% for a project implemented by administration.

DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha Loong, said the projects are designed for the region’s constituents to improve their lives. “The DPWH-ARMM infrastructure fund for next year is in support of peace and development of the Hataman administration,” he added.

Loong said the bigger budgetary allocation allows DPWH-ARMM to construct new roads and other infrastructure facilities. He also said the massive infrastructure program for the region is expected to generate a significant number of jobs.