Ben Contreras
BIG Boss Cement Inc. claims that with new technology, it can produce better quality cement at half the cost of traditionally produced cement.
To begin with, our cement price today is a result of monopoly just like our Internet servers, electric power providers, etc. Had it not been for the entry of imported cement, prices of local cement could have skyocketed to a painful level. But even imported cement no longer come cheap because they are still controlled by big capitalists. The same happened to our rice.
The transaction of imported cement, according to stories, is shrouded in mystery and corruption. Who got paid for their entry into the country? How much taxes are paid to the government and how much the government is losing for non-payment of correct tariff? What’s the accurate volume that came in? Who are the people behind the importation? Are they paying correct taxes? These are questions that may never be given answers.
The Big Boy, Henry Sy Jr., leads this company. Would he be able to do what his family did to the airline industry, how they came up with cheaper air fare that made the others follow? That remains to be seen. Meanwhile, it might be wise to wait for cheaper cement. I am almost certain that that day will come.
(Fact check and editor’s note: the Sy family is behind the SM Malls; the Gokongweis and Lucio Tan are in the airline industry.)
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As people talk of traffic woes in the city and the controversial traffic light system, not one from the city government or the proponent’s side ever surfaced to shade light on the issue.
If there was something wrong with the contract itself, then it should have been rescinded. If it was just a delay in the procurement or in the tranche payment, the public deserves to know. If there are new demands from the city government from the contractor, a redesign or modification, what’s taking them to reach more than four years and still unfinished?
If things do not miscarry, the answers will be known on Friday morning, 7:30 am to 9 am at Mellow Touch program with hosts Ronnie Waniwan, Popoy Ronin and yours truly. If you are interested, tune in to 95.7 FM.
A few have expressed willingness to guest in this program, one of which could be the petitioners in the Writ of Kalikasan. They certainly have a lot to unload.
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It’s funny how people have a penchant to criticize their neighbors but are silent on the same offenses made within the family. But, of course, when you eat the same food, you speak the same language.
A man’s principles face the greatest challenge when the issues at hand involve friends, relatives and political allies. Also, if it involves people they’re benefiting from.
It would be better if they just hold their mouth and remain silent, lest they be accused of hypocrisy.
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If the news is accurate, there is a good reason for smaller contractors to be jubilant over the cancellation and rebidding of DPWH projects all over the country (?). In Region 10, we have reports that projects for 2018 have been awarded or promised to a favored few by its former regional director.
If ever, the rebidding should be made transparent as possible. The chosen few have been known to be willing to pay in advance. Did the former RD retire a multimillionaire?
The “mafia” in known corrupt government agencies is still at it, the old bad practice. They seem to be unafraid of the President. But they will get their come-uppance sooner or later.
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