The Department of Public Works and Highways is not demanding its contractors, consultants, and suppliers to provide monetary or material donations for a relief project in Maguindanao.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson has received information that certain unscrupulous individuals, posing as Undersecretary Alfredo G. Tolentino, are calling and pressuring corporate heads of construction firms to contribute to the alleged joint relief operation of DPWH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Two cases
Based on a report, a certain individual claiming to be Undersecretary Tolentino, using mobile number 0977-6033387, with his alleged cohort Engineer Cruz, who uses the number 0999-8269346, are contacting construction company presidents to solicit sacks of rice or cash in the amount of one thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) through deposit under the name of Jose Tecson at LBC Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.
Undersecretary Tolentino, in-charge of DPWH Special Projects, has denied involvement in such kind of extortion activities.
Singson said that DPWH and DSWD have convergence program as far as providing employment opportunities among beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for the unskilled labor needs such as road maintenance, declogging of drainage laterals, and street sweeping—but not relief program.
DPWH regional and district heads are also targets of illegal solicitation, with a certain Fr. Roger E. Montesa, using mobile number 09424720227, introducing himself as DPWH Bureau of Maintenance Director Jun Gregorio. His female companion poses as Undersecretary Ardeliza R. Medenilla demanding support donations to be deposited at BDO Account Number 002200325297.
Undersecretary Medenilla and Director Gregorio has warned DPWH Regional Directors and District Engineers against this kind of activity as they don’t know nor authorized Fr. Montesa or anybody to transact business with any of the DPWH field offices in the regions and districts.
– From the Department of Public Works and Highways
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