試す - 無料

Checkmate on corrupt projects

Manila Bulletin

|

September 30, 2025

W e cando the SCAN same things and achieve different results. Today, the Philippine scenario is a "perfect crime" scene for government contracts.

- ZOILO P. DEJARESCO III

Checkmate on corrupt projects

Right from the start, the development councils hardly matter. It's the influential politicians and their executive agency cohorts who determine the National Expenditure Budget. This is followed by the infamous insertions and abuse of the "Unprogrammed Funds"— a pork barrel in disguise. Our country now faces at least a trillion-peso loss from graftfrittered flood control projects alone over the last 15 years.

This "loss" begins even at the concept stage. For instance, hazard maps and risks are often exaggerated, leading to bloated costs. The cruel "use it or lose it" principle encourages proponents to add unnecessary work to justify the inflated budget. Bidding is 100 percent rigged, with the supposed "losers" agreeing to a small cut of the syndicated bid.

The base cost for government work is typically 30-100 percent higher than private estimates. Try using the Construction Cost Guidebook published by Quantity Solutions Inc. (QSI), an award-winning quantity surveying company, to find out the price differentials. A copy was given to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, through its former adviser, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, by QSI CEO Engr. Rynor Jamandre. Local Government Units (LGUs) tracking well-funded projects should have a similar copy of the book.

The reality is that private companies cut costs to maximize profit, a virtue not found in government practice. The DPWH, on the other hand, uses the "Bill of Materials" method—an "operational document"—which is inferior to the globally recognized good the "Bill of Quantities" method. The latter is a "contractual document" signed off by licensed Quality Surveyors (QS).

Manila Bulletin からのその他のストーリー

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Suzuki upgrades the Jimny's safety

Jimny 3-Door now with Suzuki Safety Support

time to read

2 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

UNSC members blast Israel's West Bank plans on eve of Trump's Board of Peace meeting

Members of the United Nations Security Council called Wednesday for the Gaza ceasefire deal to become permanent and blasted Israeli efforts to expand control in the West Bank as a threat to prospects of a two-state solution, coming on the eve of President Donald Trump's first Board of Peace gathering to discuss the future of the Palestinian territories.

time to read

3 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

What Iloilo teaches us about culture, leadership, and growth

I have attended countless fiestas in my lifetime.

time to read

2 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila cops under review over viral patrol video

The Philippine National Police has temporarily relieved personnel assigned to the J. Bocobo Police Community Precinct following a viral video involving a marked patrol vehicle, as authorities continue to conduct an administrative investigation into the incident.

time to read

1 min

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

PAGASA issues heavy rainfall warning

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, Feb. 19, issued a heavy rainfall warning as the shear line intensified following a fresh surge of the northeast monsoon, locally known as \"amihan.

time to read

1 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

North Korean leader deploys 50 new rocket launchers ahead of major party congress

North Korea said Thursday leader Kim Jong

time to read

2 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

VinFast unveils Limo Green 7-seater electric MPV

Designed for fleets

time to read

2 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Security measures for Ramadan in place

Police forces in Mindanao and other parts of the country that include Metro Manila were ordered to ensure the implementation of sufficient security measures to ensure the peaceful observance of the holy month of Ramadan that began on Thursday, Feb. 19.

time to read

1 min

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Pope laments ‘ashes of international law’ left by conflicts

Pope Leo XIV opened the church’s penitential Lenten season by presiding over Ash Wednesday and lamenting the “ashes of international law and justice” that have been left by today’s wars and conflicts.

time to read

1 mins

February 20, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Students, staff evacuated from Malabon university due to security threat

Students and personnel of the City of Malabon University (CMU) were evacuated on Thursday, Feb. 19, after the school received a security threat involving members of the campus community and its facilities.

time to read

1 min

February 20, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size