DPWH Officials Relieved Amid Ghost Project Scandal
Ten officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office in Bulacan have been relieved from their posts amid allegations of ghost projects, sources said. This action follows investigations into the alleged ghost projects that have surfaced in the province, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed that these officials are currently on floating status, pending the outcome of the ongoing probe. The DPWH regional office has assumed oversight of the district’s operations since the officials’ relief nearly three weeks ago, officials reported.
Key Officials and Project Anomalies
Among those relieved were former district engineer Henry Alcantara and the newly appointed district engineer Brice Hernandez. Alcantara had recently been recommended for an assistant regional director position in DPWH Region 4-A, a recommendation that was processed before his suspension, community members noted.
Bonoan emphasized that the officials were not fired outright but are required to provide explanations for the alleged irregularities. He issued a memorandum demanding their side of the story within three days. If their explanations fail to satisfy investigators, formal charges will follow, he added.
Inspection Reveals Nonexistent River Wall
The relief of these officials was prompted by troubling findings about flood control projects under their supervision. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally inspected the site of a P55.7 million river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan, only to find no construction had begun. Despite official records marking the 220-meter structure as complete and fully paid, the project was essentially a phantom, local leaders noted.
This reinforced concrete river wall, awarded to Syms Construction Trading, was supposed to start last February but remained unbuilt during the President’s visit. The discovery has intensified scrutiny on flood control projects, especially those managed by the 1st District Engineering Office in Bulacan.
Senator Raises Concerns Over Gambling and Corruption
In a recent privilege speech, Senator Panfilo Lacson accused Alcantara and Hernandez of prioritizing personal gain. He alleged that one official lost hundreds of millions in a Manila casino, suggesting a connection between gambling and the mismanagement of public funds.
Lacson also revealed that under their leadership, the district office managed 28 projects valued at P72 million each in 2024, heightening suspicions about the legitimacy of these undertakings. He further disclosed another ghost flood control project in Sitio Dike, along the Mag-asawang Tubig River in Oriental Mindoro, which was declared completed but found nonexistent upon inspection.
Government’s Ongoing Efforts to Combat Anomalies
These revelations follow President Marcos’ warning during his recent State of the Nation Address about holding accountable those involved in anomalous flood control projects. The government has since launched a platform to encourage public reporting of suspicious flood prevention initiatives nationwide.
Marcos also disclosed that around 60 percent of flood control projects since 2022 either lack clear descriptions or are located in different areas despite identical contract costs. Furthermore, 15 contractors were responsible for 20 percent of all flood control projects across the country, officials reported.
Possible Further Reliefs and Sanctions
Bonoan indicated that more officials might be relieved once the investigation concludes. Contractors linked to the ghost projects are also expected to face sanctions. The department is diligently collating evidence to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“They will be charged. We’re just collating the documents. Two days ago, I already issued their memorandum to explain. I gave them three days to explain, and if we find it not convincing, we have to file the necessary charges,” Bonoan said.
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