COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government has filed at least three cases against contractors who have failed to complete the construction of school buildings four years after the contracts have been signed.
Cases are set to be filed against a total of 16 firms to ensure the completion of school building projects as specified in contracts signed last 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.”
Mawallil said running after contractors who failed to fulfil 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 Department of Education and Department of Public Works and Highways as the two most corrupt agencies in the ARMM during the 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 in going after the negligent contractors responsible for these unfinished projects.
“We are also currently reviewing past contracts to see if there are any more cases that require us to file cases of specific performance to compel contractors and make sure they fulfill their duties, as agreed upon with the regional government,” Mawallil added. (Bureau of Public Information)
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