DPWH Secretary Labels Bulacan Flood Control Projects as Isolated Case
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan addressed the controversy surrounding the alleged bogus flood control projects in Bulacan’s first district engineering office, describing the issue as an “isolated case.” Officials reported that this statement came amid mounting scrutiny over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects in Bulacan.
In a recent televised interview, Secretary Bonoan shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed him to continue probing the alleged ghost projects in the province. This comes despite growing public calls for his resignation as the head of the DPWH.
Investigation Expands Beyond Bulacan
During the interview, the DPWH chief emphasized that the flood control projects in Bulacan’s first district appeared to be a localized issue. “I think this seems to be an isolated case…here in this engineering district,” he said, referring specifically to the DPWH 1st District Engineering Office.
However, Secretary Bonoan acknowledged emerging reports of similar anomalies elsewhere. He admitted being unaware of a reported irregular flood control project in Oriental Mindoro until it surfaced in the media. “Mindoro is just coming up; actually, I don’t even know why it came up now. I just saw in the media that Governor Dolor supposedly revealed there was a ghost project in Naujan. I’m going to look into it,” he stated, referencing Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor.
Officials Suspended Amid Ongoing Probes
Sources revealed that at least ten officials from the DPWH 1st District Engineering Office have been relieved from their posts pending the investigation. Among those suspended are former district engineer Henry Alcantara and his successor, newly appointed district engineer Brice Hernandez.
Alcantara had been recommended earlier for the role of assistant regional director of DPWH Region 4-A. Secretary Bonoan said, “I have to recall his assignment and put him on a floating status for the time being.”
Discovery of Nonexistent River Wall Project
The DPWH 1st District Engineering Office faced intense criticism after President Marcos Jr. discovered a nonexistent reinforced concrete river wall during a site inspection in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan. The project, which had a contract cost of P55.7 million, was reportedly completed despite no actual work being done.
Senator Questions the ‘Isolated Case’ Claim
Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed skepticism over the flood control projects in Bulacan being dismissed as an isolated incident. “When you say it is an isolated case, it sounds like a defense mechanism,” he remarked in an interview on True FM.
He cautioned that such a statement might indicate a reluctance to conduct a thorough investigation. “It suggests you don’t intend to conduct a full-scale and comprehensive investigation. And I expected that, so I had my teams check projects in other areas,” he added.
Senator Lacson further stressed that the issue is not confined to Bulacan alone. His teams conducted case studies in Pampanga, Northern Luzon, and other locations to refute claims that the problem is isolated. He urged the DPWH to initiate a full internal audit of all its projects without delay.
Bulacan’s Leading Role in Flood Control Projects
Community members noted that Bulacan ranks first among all provinces nationwide in the number of flood control projects, according to DPWH data. This makes the integrity of these projects crucial not only for the province but for the country’s overall flood management efforts.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
