Senator Win Gatchalian slammed the awarding of billion-peso flood-control projects to undercapitalized contractors, demanding that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) disclose the names of the bids and awards committee members who approved the contracts.

“Submit to us the exact names. We need to know who awarded these projects. We demand accountability,” Gatchalian told DPWH officials during a recent Senate inquiry.

The Senate Finance Committee chairperson warned that awarding projects to underfunded contractors compromises quality and opens the door to collusion and corruption. He cited one case where a contractor with only ₱1.2 million in capitalization was granted a ₱1.5-billion project.

Gatchalian further pressed DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to clarify how the agency determines the minimum capitalization required for contractors and who reviews their financial capacity.