DPWH suspends Baguio engineers over alleged rigged bidding

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has suspended six officials of the Baguio City District Engineering Office (DEO) and ordered them to explain alleged irregularities in the bidding of infrastructure projects.

In a memorandum dated Sept. 26, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon directed District Engineer Rene Zarate and five other personnel to respond to accusations of rigging, fixing, and manipulating the bidding process in exchange for one to three percent of the total project cost.

Also named in the order were Cesario Rillera, chief of the Planning and Design Section; Nora Delos Santos, chief of the Maintenance Section; Jessie Ramos and Frances Vincent Saloria, both Engineer II of the Planning and Design Section; and Frigilda Legaspi, Administrative Officer II.

The complaint alleged that bidding was manipulated to favor contractors linked to the spouses and relatives of DEO employees.

The six have been given five days to explain why they should not face administrative charges. “Failure to respond within the stipulated time shall be construed as a waiver of your right to explain, and this Office shall resolve the matter based on the available records and evidence,” Dizon warned.

The controversy follows Zarate’s earlier refusal to attend a Baguio City Council inquiry in August on alleged overpricing in projects such as solar-powered streetlights, cat’s eye highway markers, yellow road barriers, and rock netting installations.