Bunkhouses: Overpriced and Substandard Pwede Na Ba Yan?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Following criticisms that the government's standards were far below international standards, Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Wednesday, January 8, that the Philippines doesn't have to follow world standards. ...."We are following our standards. We don’t necessarily have to follow the international standards," he said." - Rappler

The Philippines rarely follow international standards. We don't realize that it is one of the reasons why we cannot successfully compete globally.

This is clearly a case of "Pwede na yan" or "Bahala na yan" which is very common with people in the Philippine government.

The bunkhouses or temporary shelters for typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims were also reported overpriced and substandard. It was quoted that P959,360 for a 12 unit bunkhouse (which boils down to about P80,000 per unit) which is to serve as temporary shelter. Gawad Kalinga only spends around P 125,000 per unit for a permanent shelter. Clearly there is a problem here.

Though Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson did say he will resign out of "delicadeza" if it can be proven that the bunkhouses are overpriced, he does have a follow-up statement telling us that he will either require the contractors to repeat the bunkhouses or not pay them if they do find the project overpriced or made of substandard materials.

Rehabilitation Czar appointed Panfilo "Ping" Lacson is checking on the alleged overpricing and substandard specifications of the bunkhouses. Until a result is released, we are left wondering what really happened, and if someone manipulated the transactions and illegally pocketed some funds here.

Let us put this entire situation in context. The bunkhouses are temporary in nature. Sec. Singson responded to the call to increase the space per unit. Government said they will not be placed in congested space. As blunt as it can be said, coming from a situation where you are living under a tent, a bunkhouse is better lived. Our expectations are high for this government. At least, it is showing that it intends to assist the affected people. We should support this government. It needs a lot of improvement but they do serve the people.

We are just asking the Philippine government to serve the Philippine people correctly. If you ordered a burger and all you got was a sandwich, you'd say "pwede na yan!" because you were actually served and received food? The government was actually created to serve the people in the first place, they should DO THEIR JOB.

*Photo credit: Inquirer.net

We are just asking the Philippine government serve the Philippine people correctly. If you ordered a burger and all you got was a sandwich, you'd say "pwede na yan!" because you were actually served and received food? By the way, the government is actually created to serve the people in the first place, they should DO THEIR JOB.

We are just asking the Philippine government serve the Philippine people correctly. If you ordered a burger and all you got was a sandwich, you'd say "pwede na yan!" because you were actually served and received food? By the way, the government is actually created to serve the people in the first place, they should DO THEIR

The Philippines never follow international standards, they don't realise its one of the reasons why the country is so poor, how can it compete globally if standards are so low?!

The Philippines never follow international standards, they don't realise its one of the reasons why the country is so poor, how can it compete globally if standards are so low?!

The Philippines never follow international standards, they don't realise its one of the reasons why the country is so poor, how can it compete globally if standards are so low?!

The Philippines never follow international standards, they don't realise its one of the reasons why the country is so poor, how can it compete globally if standards are so low?!

The Philippines never follow international standards, they don't realise its one of the reasons why the country is so poor, how can it compete globally if standards are so low?!

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