House Committee Targets P94 Million Flood Control Insertion
MANILA, Philippines — The House infrastructure committee chair announced plans to summon former members of the bicameral conference committee to clarify the controversial insertion of a P94 million flood control project in Bulacan. This project, now confirmed as nonexistent, was included in the 2024 national budget without proper authorization, sources reported.
Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon, speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, emphasized that the former bicameral members are the only ones who can explain how this ghost flood control project was inserted into the General Appropriations Bill. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later signed this bill into law.
Key Figures to Be Summoned for Clarification
Officials noted that the group to be invited may include former House appropriations chair and Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co, as well as former Senate finance chair Sonny Angara, now the education secretary. Both led their respective chambers in the bicameral committee tasked with reconciling the budget versions.
Earlier investigations revealed that the P94 million flood control structure along Angat River in Plaridel, Bulacan, which Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected recently, was absent from the Department of Budget and Management’s 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the House version of the budget bill. Community members said the project had only started work three weeks ago despite claims it was completed in 2024.
Project Linked to Top Flood Control Contractor
Sources disclosed that the contractor, Wawao Builders, ranks among the top 15 firms identified by President Marcos Jr. as having secured the largest share of flood control contracts over the past three years. Ridon stated this strongly suggests the project was a congressional insertion during the bicameral committee deliberations.
“The investigative logic of this is to ask the members of the bicameral conference committee of 2024 if they know who inserted this,” the lawmaker explained. However, he clarified that these invitations might occur within the next two or three weeks.
Upcoming Hearings Focus on Contractor Violations
The next infrastructure committee hearing, scheduled for September 9, will center on the Discaya group, a conglomerate of nine companies whose licenses were ordered revoked by the Philippine Contractors’ Accreditation Board (PCAB). Officials reported these companies allegedly violated bidding rules by competing together despite sharing the same beneficial owner.
Initially, Ridon was reluctant to invite Rep. Co, himself linked to Sunwest Inc., another major flood control contractor, unless the inquiry directly involved questionable budget insertions. “The last time, it was irrelevant to invite him on (that topic) because it is not germane to the inquiry that’s focused on anomalous, substandard, and ghost flood control projects,” Ridon said. “But the difference now is that this is a budget insertion relating to a ghost project.” It was noted that Co is currently in the United States for medical reasons.
Further Investigations on Local Officials and Contractors
Ridon also said that former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and Wawao Builders would be summoned to clarify their roles. They will be asked if Alcantara proposed the project and whether he requested lawmakers to insert it into the NEP.
During the committee’s initial hearing, Alcantara admitted to proposing another ghost project—a P55 million reinforced river wall in Barangay Piel, Baliuag—but claimed negligence in signing completion certificates. He said he relied on staff reports stating the project was finished.
However, Ridon dismissed this explanation, accusing Alcantara of intentionally defrauding the government and suggesting he should face plunder charges. Community leaders expressed strong concerns over these findings and urged swift accountability.
For more news and updates on flood control project investigations, visit Filipinokami.com.
