The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reiterates anew the public warning against a modus operandi involving unscrupulous individuals, who impersonate DPWH officials to solicit cash or favors.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson reminded public works contractors, suppliers, and consultants including officials and employees of the Department to be wary of solicitors pretending to be Secretary Singson or either Undersecretaries Jaime A. Pacanan, Romeo S. Momo, and Rafael C. Yabut.
The DPWH Secretary and the above named Undersecretaries have been receiving reports of people dragging their names to pressure target individual or entity to get money and favour from unsuspecting donors.
In an incident reported to DPWH, supplier Tri-Globe Transport Services Trading Inc. has received call from an individual claiming to be Undersecretary Pacanan purportedly to pressure their company in buying 10 medical-dental mission sponsorship tickets of the Citizen’s Organization for Reform and Public Safety, Inc. amounting to P60,000.00.
On another occasion, an unscrupulous solicitor called Tri-Globe and presented himself as Secretary Singson and later as Undersecretary Momo offering any project they want.
“Since 2010, I have been warning the public that the Department with its officials and employees is not in any fund raising activity, and neither endorsing any individual, entity or group for solicitation”, said Singson.
DPWH focus is to increase mobility and connectivity through effective and efficient national road network and by providing safe environment through flood control structures and as such, we will not deal with the affairs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which has the control when it comes to charitable activities, added Singson.
Presidential Decree 1564, or the Solicitation Permit Law, gives DSWD the authority to issue permits for solicitations meant for charitable purposes like welfare programs and fundraising events.
DPWH has been also receiving requests for donations from growing number of non-government organizations, associations and societies’ various civic programs which are regretfully declined due to lack of fund allocation intended to support these activities.