DPWH Launches Field Verification of Flood Control Projects
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to verify the status of flood control projects handled by 15 contractors, officials reported. This move aims to assess if any projects under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s list have failed or fallen short of expectations.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan revealed that special teams have already been dispatched to conduct thorough field inspections. These efforts focus on the flood control projects that received about 20 percent of the total P545-billion budget for flood mitigation, local leaders noted.
Field Validation to Confirm Actual Project Conditions
“I have already dispatched special teams to look into all these flood control projects. The data we provided is actually just monitoring information. But the actual conditions of the projects are not included in that information,” Bonoan said in Filipino during an interview with a local broadcaster.
He added, “So I think what’s important here is that we also validate in the field the status of these projects.”
Investigating the Concentration of Contracts
The DPWH will also scrutinize how approximately P100 billion, or 20 percent of the entire flood mitigation budget, was awarded to only 15 contractors. Officials emphasized the need to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of these contracts.
“We will look into whether their work actually failed or what the current status is. We’ll have to verify it in the field because I think our basis right now is actually the amount contracted to them,” community members reported Bonoan saying.
He further stressed, “But what’s also important is that we try to find out if the projects they worked on really exist, their current status, and all related details. We will inspect these on-site.”
Presidential Concern Over Contract Distribution
On Monday, President Marcos described the situation as a “disturbing assessment,” noting that nearly 20 percent of the entire P545-billion flood mitigation budget was concentrated among just 15 contractors.
According to sources, the contractors receiving the largest shares of flood control projects include Legacy Construction Corporation, Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corporation, QM Builders, and EGB Construction Corporation.
Other firms listed are Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., Centerways Construction and Development Inc., Sunwest, Inc., Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc., Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp., Wawao Builders, MG Samidan Construction, L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc., and Road Edge Trading & Development Services.
Community members noted that five of these contractors have projects spanning nearly all regions nationwide, raising questions about contract distribution and project quality.
Next Steps for Flood Control Oversight
The DPWH’s verification process highlights a commitment to transparency and efficiency in flood mitigation efforts. Officials have pledged to provide updates as on-site inspections progress and to address any identified issues promptly.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.