Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos has filed legislation seeking to impose prison terms on contractors and subcontractors responsible for substandard government infrastructure projects.
Marcos introduced House Bill No. 2811, dubbed the Criminalizing Negligent Contractors Act, which aims to hold private construction firm owners and officials criminally accountable for gross negligence that results in defective or unsafe public works.
The proposed measure “seeks to criminalize gross negligence on the part of contractors and subcontractors engaged in government infrastructure projects, particularly when such negligence results in structural defects, project failures, or safety hazards that undermine the project’s interest.”
“Any contractor, subcontractor, or person acting on their behalf who, through gross negligence, causes the quality of work on a government project to fall below the standards prescribed in the contract, applicable laws, or technical specifications, shall be held criminally liable,” the bill read.
The legislation emphasizes strict compliance with safety and quality standards in government-funded projects, warning against lapses that could endanger public welfare and waste taxpayer resources.
“Government infrastructure projects must be implemented with strict adherence to standards of safety and quality, as prescribed by law and by competent authorities,” the bill stressed.
“These standards are not mere formalities, they are essential safeguards of public welfare, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term utility of state investments,” it added.
The proposal defines “gross negligence” as acts or omissions that materially deviate from contract specifications or approved plans, compromise structural integrity or public safety, or involve the use of substandard materials.
If enacted, any person—including contractors, subcontractors, corporate officers, government employees, or juridical entities—found guilty of gross negligence, whether as principal, accomplice, or accessory, may face imprisonment of six to 12 years and/or a fine of at least ₱10 million.