Sixty contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were suspended after they were allegedly found violating bidding and procurement procedures of civil works, an official said Monday.

In a press conference, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. announced that the suspension of the contractors took effect Monday. The suspension prohibits them from participating or bidding in government infrastructure projects for a year.

“We have given all concerned enough time and followed due process as required by law. After careful deliberation by the CO-BAC, these contractors were recommended for suspension and I have approved their recommendation effective immediately,” he said.

The recommendations from DPWH Joint CO-BAC (Central Office-Bids and Awards Committee) came following the contractors’ failure to justify why they should not be suspended for violating bidding and procurement procedures.

“Their reasons were propounded, but it’s not acceptable to the committee. Some of them were not able to respond to our invitation to explain their side. We would like to send a strong message that they can’t do business at DPWH if they can't follow the law,” he said in an interview.

Ebdane said there were only 168 of the 216 contractors who showed cause and cited their reasons in response to the letter of DPWH.

The suspended contractors in particular allegedly violated the provisions of Republic Act 9184 and the three-strike policy in procurement of civil works. Some of them were not suspended for the first time and had previously committed other violations.

Among those covered by the DPWH suspension order include Topmost Development Marketing Corp., Unayan Builders Constructions and Supply, E.M.L. Construction and Trading, J.S Layson & Co Inc., Welex Construction, Cofe Jok Construction, among others.