DPWH questions TRB power over connector road project

Singson appealing justice department’s ruling

3:15 am | Friday, July 20th, 2012

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson: Questions (dpwh.gov.ph photo)

Although President Aquino has backed two rival proposals for the South to Northern Luzon connector road project, the Department of Public Works and Highways has questioned the authority of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to process the implementation of the road alignment to be undertaken by the San Miguel-Citra group.

In a letter to the Office of the President dated July 6, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson appealed a recent order issued by the Department of Justice (DoJ) that had given TRB authority over the North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways and its extensions, stretches and linkages.

Likewise appealed was the go-signal given by the DoJ for the TRB to facilitate execution of Stages 3 and 4 of the Metro Manila Skyway and Metro Manila Expressway, based on documents obtained by Inquirer.

Stage 3 (Buendia to Balintawak) and Stage 4 (Bicutan to Batasan) refer to the SMC-Citra connector road alignment while Metro Manila Expressway refers to the Bicutan-Rizal-Batasan (C6) road project.

In his letter, Singson appealed the DoJ order dated June 6, invoking the President’s power to transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other department or agency.

The DPWH chief also sought authority to “grant administrative franchises for the construction, operation and maintenance of toll facilities for highways, roads, bridges and public thoroughfares as well as to determine and decide the kind, type and nature” of these infrastructure projects, “including the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), and to determine the alignment thereof.”

Finally, Singson appealed before Malacañang “the exclusivity of the franchise of the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) for the construction, maintenance and operation of the NLEx, SLEx and the Metro Manila Expressway, and any and all such extensions, linkages or stretches, together with the toll facilities appurtenant therein.”

The PNCC and Citra are the original partners in the Skyway project as well as the connector roads and C6 projects before San Miguel Corp. came into the picture.

The TRB, an attached agency under the Department of Transportation and Communications, pointed out to the DoJ that the DPWH’s petitions against the project were “intended to delay the proceedings and impede the implementation of much-needed infrastructure projects that would benefit the Filipino people.”

The TRB views the San Miguel-Citra segment of the twin project as part of the original approval granted by the government to the Indonesian proponent of the Skyway in the mid-1990s.

However, the proposal of the Pangilinan group was determined to be a separate project and, as such, would have to be subjected to a Swiss challenge bidding procedure.

The TRB has also pointed out to the DoJ that the business joint venture agreement between the PNCC and Citra was “binding” on the Republic.

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Tags: Department of Public Works and Highways , Infrastructure

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1583311228 Roy Roger

Those 2 billion dollar road connector projects should be subjected to competitive bidding – not swiss challenge type of bidding in order to prevent overpricing. Mar roxas stop the award of these 2 projects. Maawa ka naman sa taong bayan.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Melvin-Prieto/100004079828805 Melvin Prieto

anong klaseng kabastusan ito ng DPWH Secretary? Hindi ba sabi niya sa public at sa malacañang meeting, ok na ang parehong kalsada? ano ang nangyayari? bakit pati ang decision ng Department of Justice, gustong baliktarin? Naku, may mga speech pa na shineshare ang bagongPilipino- aka – gagongPilipino – na katulad ni secretary na ang tunay na kinakampihan ay ang dati niyang boss na si Manny Girl Pangilinan- BUKING NA! BAKA MAGPAPALUSOT PA!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QZZKXPEA67I7HELEIYM35QVYFA Jon

Agawan sa kickback ng mga buwaya.
Magiging masaya ito kung sino ang mas malakas kay Budoy.
Syempre, ang parating talo: Sambayanang Pilipino.
kismaytami

Mr. Singson, nasaan na ang P54.4 million na pondo panggawa ng additional Bilibid overpass sa SLEX. January pa dapat nasimulan yung proyekto, July na ngayon. Grabe tuloy ang trapik.
http://www.facebook.com/cynthia.laureta Cynthia Millan Laureta

The DPWH chief also sought authority to “grant administrative franchises for the construction, operation and maintenance of toll facilities for highways, roads, bridges and public thoroughfares as well as to determine and decide the kind, type and nature” of these infrastructure projects, “including the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), and to determine the alignment thereof.”
I hope the bright legal minds in the Palace know that the President has no authority to grant any department or agency such power, that is a power of the Legislative branch. Oh wait, I forgot that under this administration, all powers of what used to be separate and co-equal branches of government are now merged in the Executive branch.

*dripping with sarcasm*
edsa1986

It is obvious Mr. Singson is protecting the interest of his real boss, Manny Pangilinan. I hope the President would finally realize the true color of Mr. Singson and fire him now before he can do more damage on our country and people.

BagongPilipino

Pathways to Leadership: Young Leaders
Conference

Speech of DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson

14 July 2012

I am indeed very honored to be here on the invitation of the Alejandro
Melchor Jr. Foundation to share with you, the future leaders of our country,
some thoughts and values that have guided me in life especially considering
that the sponsor of this event is in memory of one of the most respected public
servants of the past, former Ambassador and Executive Secretary Alejandro
Melchor Jr.

I would like to just share with you three principles or values that I
have practices for you to think about as you face your challenges as young
leaders:

1.
Live your dream –
which will define your mission

2.
Walk the talk –
which defines your values

3.
Serve God and
country – which defines your whole being

First, live your dream. Let me
quote a famous line of Steve Jobs during his commencement speech in Stanford, I
believe two years before he died, when he said – “Life is short, so don’t live
someone else’s life. Keep looking for what you love, follow your heart and
intuition. Do not compromise or settle down.” Everyone knows the great
contribution he has done to technology that has changed our lifestyle.

Before I graduated from the UP College of Engineering with an
Industrial Engineering degree, the thesis I prepared which was then a
requirement in one of my subjects in my senior year was “How to Oranize
Samahang Pangkabuhayan”. Ever since then up to today and every opportunity I
have, to improve the quality of life especially for the poor and marginalized
has been a desired mission. My first job out of college in 1972 was with a family
planning NGO already advocating responsible parenthood. In my work at the Bases
Conversion Development Authority, we always made sure that we provided better
housing facilities and better communities for those that were affected by the
bases conversion activities. You now see Pamayanang Diego Silang. Fast forward,
when I was president of Maynilad, I organized Samahang Tubig Maynilad to give
the poor and waterless communities in the Maynilad concession area access to
affordable potable water. And now with
DPWH, I am developing community based microenterprises to empower and employ
people directly near our national roads to do simple road maintenance
activities.

In almost all of my work in the past I never wanted to do a typical or
regular assignment. I always wanted to do something new and something
different. I never wanted to be in the same comfort zone. I was even an OFW in
the Middle East for almost three years and I was very instrumental in setting
up for a Filipino business group the biggest door to door operations to serve
Filipino overseas workers in the whole Middle East. I was challenged by the
base conversion work. I was challenged and dreamt of transforming the former
Fort Bonifacio military base into what is now the Fort Bonifacio Global City. I
am proud to have been a key player in the development of the Fort Bonifacio
Global City. I was challenged to connect Subic and Clark, former US bases, so
the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) was born. Now in DPWH, I am
challenged to transform the organization, change values and reduce corruption
in DPWH, and at the same time provide Filipinos with better quality and safer
national roads and bridges. Live your dream. Be passionate with what you want
to do. Be an innovator. Define your mission early in life.

For young leaders read the book “Management by Missions” written by Dr.
Pablo Cardona. I have found the book very helpful in defining my mission both
the private and public sector positions.

Second point, walk the talk. Define your values early. This may not be
apparent now while still young, but as you grow older, you will develop certain
values and habits which you will be carrying until you grow old. Even such a
simple habit as being on time for appointments. Yung mga kaibigan ninyo ngayon
na parating late malamang hanggang pagtanda niyan late pa rin.

Value other people specially those who work with you. Respect their
view. Learn to listen. Start young with good habits. There is no substitute for
hard work. Practice your profession with honesty and integrity. Always do your
best in everything you do. Do not settle or compromise your integrity and
honesty for material wealth. Value a good reputation. Being honest is a way of
life. I have quit government positions four times in the past because it would
compromise my principles and values. One was a very bitter separation. But
because I want to serve our country, balik pa rin ako ng balik. In my current
position I have to walk the talk. I have clearly defined what values are
important to me. I have to be very transparent and show that I advocate honesty
and integrity in everything I do. I used to go to our internal meetings with my
own baon of crackers and water because I was told before meetings were always a
feast. I avoid eating out for business meetings especially with contractors. I
am in the office before 8am every day often including Saturdays. I always try
to be prompt in all my appointments and meetings.

Do not be complacent. Always look for how you can improve what is in
front of you. Do not be a person who will look at all things that are wrong and
keep complaining, but will not do anything about it. In my current work I
continue to innovate and improve on many policies, procedures and practices.
Because of the changes in procedures for more transparent and competitive
bidding alone, we have saved over P10B and counting in public funds since 2011
up to end of June 2012. Again, you have to be a sincere person and value your
integrity. Be committed to your values as you pursue your mission.

Final point: Serve God and your country. This will define your being.
Why are you in this world? Before accepting the position of Secretary of Public
Works, I was already very comfortable as president of Maynilad Water with very
good salary and generous benefits. So sometime in early June 2010, while
attending a Water conference in Sao Paolo, Brazil, I received a text message
that said are you open to being considered Secretary of Public Works. My
immediate answer was thanks, but no thanks. However, when I got back from
Brazil a few days after, while attending a leaders’ retreat
of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Catholic community where I belong, I again
received a text message from a member of the Aquino Executive Search Committee
asking the same thing: Are you open to being considered for the position of
Secretary of DPWH? I texted back and said I am in a retreat. Let me pray about
it. The response I got was, “I am sure our prayers will be answered.” By Divine
Providence, the topic of the weekend retreat was “Heroic Leadership.” After
several days of prayer and discernment, I accepted the position and gave up
what was materially rewarding because of the retreat on heroic leadership.

Ladies and gentlemen, young leaders, what is needed today in our
country are heroic leaders, those who are willing to serve God and country
before self at a huge personal sacrifice. Some would even see you as crazy,
just like the initial reaction of my children. Some will not understand what it
means to serve God and country because there are people who only know how to
serve themselves.

I accepted this government position because I wanted to serve God and
country. It was not an easy decision after a bitter separation in 2004, especially
if you consider the downside like loss of privacy, very long hours of work 24 x
7, concerns about safety and security of my family, and the biggest loss was
financial. The amount of income tax I paid in 2010 alone, I will never earn
even assuming I work in DPWH until 2016. My only consolation, I am passionate
about what I am doing because I am committed to serve God and country, to
contribute to nation building.

As young leaders do not just work for yourself or just for material
gains. Becoming rich should not be your main objective in life. One can spend
only so much in one’s lifetime. You should use your talents to serve God and
country. Again not any other country. The Philippines needs your talents. Serve
the government. Go back to your communities. They need you.

So to end my homily, to you young leaders, use your God-given talents
to live your dream and define your mission in life. Walk the talk and define
your values early in life; and finally, be passionate to serve God and our
country, and this will define your whole being.

Again thank you, Mrs. Melchor and the Foundation, for the invitation
and for this opportunity to speak before this gathering of young leaders; to
share some thoughts for you to consider. Good luck to all of you as you try to
improve lives. Good afternoon to everyone.

edsa1986

Let me just reply to the speech of Mr. Singson you quoted with this famous quotation:

“Walking
your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie. Be
honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others
to do.”
— Vince Poscente (Invincible Principles)

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GNVLZW44Z6WLXHG6GML3JF3R3A LV

Tsk.. tsk.. Noynoying at its finest,! One government agency trying to block another government agency’s efforts. Kung hindi ningas kugon – utak talangka! O kaya baka naman may lagay lang yan si Mr. Singson dun sa proponent nung ibang proyekto? Kung sabagay, he heads quite possibly the top most corrupt government agency…

BagongPilipino

Please read. God Bless.

Pathways to Leadership: Young Leaders
Conference

Speech of DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson

14 July 2012

I am indeed very honored to be here on the invitation of the Alejandro
Melchor Jr. Foundation to share with you, the future leaders of our country,
some thoughts and values that have guided me in life especially considering
that the sponsor of this event is in memory of one of the most respected public
servants of the past, former Ambassador and Executive Secretary Alejandro
Melchor Jr.

I would like to just share with you three principles or values that I
have practices for you to think about as you face your challenges as young
leaders:

1.
Live your dream –
which will define your mission

2.
Walk the talk –
which defines your values

3.
Serve God and
country – which defines your whole being

First, live your dream. Let me
quote a famous line of Steve Jobs during his commencement speech in Stanford, I
believe two years before he died, when he said – “Life is short, so don’t live
someone else’s life. Keep looking for what you love, follow your heart and
intuition. Do not compromise or settle down.” Everyone knows the great
contribution he has done to technology that has changed our lifestyle.

Before I graduated from the UP College of Engineering with an
Industrial Engineering degree, the thesis I prepared which was then a
requirement in one of my subjects in my senior year was “How to Oranize
Samahang Pangkabuhayan”. Ever since then up to today and every opportunity I
have, to improve the quality of life especially for the poor and marginalized
has been a desired mission. My first job out of college in 1972 was with a family
planning NGO already advocating responsible parenthood. In my work at the Bases
Conversion Development Authority, we always made sure that we provided better
housing facilities and better communities for those that were affected by the
bases conversion activities. You now see Pamayanang Diego Silang. Fast forward,
when I was president of Maynilad, I organized Samahang Tubig Maynilad to give
the poor and waterless communities in the Maynilad concession area access to
affordable potable water. And now with
DPWH, I am developing community based microenterprises to empower and employ
people directly near our national roads to do simple road maintenance
activities.

In almost all of my work in the past I never wanted to do a typical or
regular assignment. I always wanted to do something new and something
different. I never wanted to be in the same comfort zone. I was even an OFW in
the Middle East for almost three years and I was very instrumental in setting
up for a Filipino business group the biggest door to door operations to serve
Filipino overseas workers in the whole Middle East. I was challenged by the
base conversion work. I was challenged and dreamt of transforming the former
Fort Bonifacio military base into what is now the Fort Bonifacio Global City. I
am proud to have been a key player in the development of the Fort Bonifacio
Global City. I was challenged to connect Subic and Clark, former US bases, so
the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) was born. Now in DPWH, I am
challenged to transform the organization, change values and reduce corruption
in DPWH, and at the same time provide Filipinos with better quality and safer
national roads and bridges. Live your dream. Be passionate with what you want
to do. Be an innovator. Define your mission early in life.

For young leaders read the book “Management by Missions” written by Dr.
Pablo Cardona. I have found the book very helpful in defining my mission both
the private and public sector positions.

Second point, walk the talk. Define your values early. This may not be
apparent now while still young, but as you grow older, you will develop certain
values and habits which you will be carrying until you grow old. Even such a
simple habit as being on time for appointments. Yung mga kaibigan ninyo ngayon
na parating late malamang hanggang pagtanda niyan late pa rin.

Value other people specially those who work with you. Respect their
view. Learn to listen. Start young with good habits. There is no substitute for
hard work. Practice your profession with honesty and integrity. Always do your
best in everything you do. Do not settle or compromise your integrity and
honesty for material wealth. Value a good reputation. Being honest is a way of
life. I have quit government positions four times in the past because it would
compromise my principles and values. One was a very bitter separation. But
because I want to serve our country, balik pa rin ako ng balik. In my current
position I have to walk the talk. I have clearly defined what values are
important to me. I have to be very transparent and show that I advocate honesty
and integrity in everything I do. I used to go to our internal meetings with my
own baon of crackers and water because I was told before meetings were always a
feast. I avoid eating out for business meetings especially with contractors. I
am in the office before 8am every day often including Saturdays. I always try
to be prompt in all my appointments and meetings.

Do not be complacent. Always look for how you can improve what is in
front of you. Do not be a person who will look at all things that are wrong and
keep complaining, but will not do anything about it. In my current work I
continue to innovate and improve on many policies, procedures and practices.
Because of the changes in procedures for more transparent and competitive
bidding alone, we have saved over P10B and counting in public funds since 2011
up to end of June 2012. Again, you have to be a sincere person and value your
integrity. Be committed to your values as you pursue your mission.

Final point: Serve God and your country. This will define your being.
Why are you in this world? Before accepting the position of Secretary of Public
Works, I was already very comfortable as president of Maynilad Water with very
good salary and generous benefits. So sometime in early June 2010, while
attending a Water conference in Sao Paolo, Brazil, I received a text message
that said are you open to being considered Secretary of Public Works. My
immediate answer was thanks, but no thanks. However, when I got back from
Brazil a few days after, while attending a leaders’ retreat
of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Catholic community where I belong, I again
received a text message from a member of the Aquino Executive Search Committee
asking the same thing: Are you open to being considered for the position of
Secretary of DPWH? I texted back and said I am in a retreat. Let me pray about
it. The response I got was, “I am sure our prayers will be answered.” By Divine
Providence, the topic of the weekend retreat was “Heroic Leadership.” After
several days of prayer and discernment, I accepted the position and gave up
what was materially rewarding because of the retreat on heroic leadership.

Ladies and gentlemen, young leaders, what is needed today in our
country are heroic leaders, those who are willing to serve God and country
before self at a huge personal sacrifice. Some would even see you as crazy,
just like the initial reaction of my children. Some will not understand what it
means to serve God and country because there are people who only know how to
serve themselves.

I accepted this government position because I wanted to serve God and
country. It was not an easy decision after a bitter separation in 2004, especially
if you consider the downside like loss of privacy, very long hours of work 24 x
7, concerns about safety and security of my family, and the biggest loss was
financial. The amount of income tax I paid in 2010 alone, I will never earn
even assuming I work in DPWH until 2016. My only consolation, I am passionate
about what I am doing because I am committed to serve God and country, to
contribute to nation building.

As young leaders do not just work for yourself or just for material
gains. Becoming rich should not be your main objective in life. One can spend
only so much in one’s lifetime. You should use your talents to serve God and
country. Again not any other country. The Philippines needs your talents. Serve
the government. Go back to your communities. They need you.

So to end my homily, to you young leaders, use your God-given talents
to live your dream and define your mission in life. Walk the talk and define
your values early in life; and finally, be passionate to serve God and our
country, and this will define your whole being.

Again thank you, Mrs. Melchor and the Foundation, for the invitation
and for this opportunity to speak before this gathering of young leaders; to
share some thoughts for you to consider. Good luck to all of you as you try to
improve lives. Good afternoon to everyone.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GNVLZW44Z6WLXHG6GML3JF3R3A LV

Am I supposed to be impressed by a pre-prepared speech, and for all we know, it may not have been prepared by him?
Also, should I be impressed by someone who invokes god’s name several
time in his speech?? I know a lot of people (and priests) who invoke
god’s name every time and yet they live quite an amoral living! I agree with him: he should “walk the talk”. What is his interest by the way in getting
DPWH position aside from “serving God and country”? What is his previous
relationship with Pangilinan et al, considering that about 15 years ago, he
was BCDA chairman and that was the time Pangilinan won the bidding for Fort Bonifacio? That’s too much of a coincidence, now that he is DPWH Secretary and somehow raising issues with TRB approval of a competing project to his master proposal!! Why is he advocating for DPWH to have the all encompassing power to grant franchise in all transpo projects? Will that not lead to abuses in the future? What is his true intentions? Also, there is a limit to president power. He can not legislate on his own.

Anyways, I hope Mr. Singson is not wishing to open his can of worms.
BagongPilipino

I know him personally. I know his integrity and character. Lots of people will try to destroy him because of his campaign to clean the DPWH. He is a man of faith and its impossible for him to have can of worms. May you have peace in you heart.

DPWH questions TRB power over connector road project

Singson appealing justice department’s ruling

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