DPWH Officials Relieved Amid Ghost Projects Scandal
At least 10 officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office in Bulacan have been relieved from their posts following allegations of ghost projects, sources said. The DPWH chief confirmed the reliefs during a recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan stated in a DZMM interview that the officials are now reassigned to the regional office and no longer function within the district engineering office. “All the officials there in the 1st Engineering District of Bulacan… maybe around ten,” he added.
Key Officials Among Those Removed
Among those relieved are former district engineer Henry Alcantara and his successor, Brice Hernandez. Alcantara was previously recommended for assistant regional director of DPWH Region 4-A. However, Bonoan recalled his assignment and placed him on floating status pending the investigation.
Community members noted that the officials and the contractors involved in the alleged ghost projects will face charges once the DPWH completes its document review. “I gave them three days to explain, and if we find it not convincing, we have to file the necessary charges,” the DPWH chief said.
Details of the Ghost Project in Bulacan
The controversy centers on a P55.7 million reinforced concrete river wall project in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan. The 220-meter structure was awarded to Syms Construction Trading but was reportedly never constructed. Despite this, documents marked the project as completed, and payments were fully disbursed.
Local leaders expressed concern over the misuse of public funds, highlighting the need for accountability in flood-control initiatives.
Ongoing Investigations in Oriental Mindoro
In addition, an investigation is underway regarding alleged bogus flood-control projects in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, officials reported. No personnel have been relieved yet as the projects appear to be ongoing.
“If it’s an ongoing project, then I think the contractor has the responsibility to rehabilitate or redo the work,” Bonoan explained. This statement came after Senator Panfilo Lacson exposed a supposedly completed but nonexistent flood-control project worth P192.9 million in Sitio Dike along the Mag-asawang Tubig River.
Presidential Warning Sparks Nationwide Scrutiny
The investigations into these flood-control projects were intensified following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address. He warned that those involved in anomalous flood-control projects would be held accountable.
Subsequently, a government website was launched to encourage public reporting of suspicious flood prevention projects. Marcos revealed that about 60 percent of flood-control projects since 2022 either lack clear descriptions or are mislocated, despite having the same contract costs.
He also noted that 15 contractors are responsible for 20 percent of all flood-control projects nationwide, raising concerns about concentration and possible irregularities.
For more news and updates on flood-control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
