The Philippine government is cracking down on erring contractors, with 16 firms already under blacklisting proceedings and over 60 others potentially facing the same fate, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the move targets contractors involved in allegedly anomalous infrastructure projects, including substandard work, overpricing and delayed delivery.

Four contractors have already had their licenses revoked, Castro said, citing information from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).

“Ang sabi po ng Pangulo, kahit po magkakaroon tayo ng blacklisting ng ibang mga contractor ay hindi po maaapektuhan ang tuluy-tuloy na pagsasagawa ng mga imprastraktura sa bansa natin dahil marami pa po na mga contractor na masasabi natin na maaayos magtrabaho (According to the President, even if there is blacklisting, the implementation of infrastructure projects will continue as there still many performing contractors),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

The blacklisting is part of broader efforts to improve transparency, prevent misuse of funds amid the government’s crackdown on massive corruption in flood control projects.

Marcos earlier ordered government agencies to immediately settle obligations to contractors who properly delivered on government projects as part of the push to stimulate economic activity while ensuring accountability in public spending. (PNA)