Graft deals? The solution lies in FOI enactment

This refers to the Inquirer news item “Calapan mayor faces graft case over TV, CCTV deals” (Page A18, Inquirer, 4/24/13). In reaction, Mayor Paulino Salvador Leachon said: The cases have already been cleared by the Commission on Audit and that all government projects in his city underwent proper bidding.

The traffic signal lights installed at the intersection of Rizal and Leuterio Streets in Calapan City, in March 2010 are definitely a city government project. Having been involved in the preparation of the project study, for free, upon a personal request of the mayor, my informant told me there was no proper bidding procedure that took place. A company was hired as main contractor and another group undertook the supply and installation of the signal equipment.

Unfortunately, it turned out that the horizontal installation of the signals is not in accordance with the standard set up by the Traffic Engineering Center (TEC) of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Not one of the more than 400 intersections signalized by the TEC in Metro Manila, is a horizontally-installed traffic signal equipment.

At any rate, the actual method used in the procurement of the project would come to light once the freedom of information bill, which to this day is still pending in Congress, shall have been approved into law.

—TRANQUILINO S. ATIENZA

former director,
Traffic Engineering Center, DPWH

8401 Hemlock St., Phase 8,

Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque City