10 execs in DPWH District Engineering Office in Bulacan relieved

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on wednesday gives a surprise inspection of a P55-million “ghost” river wall project in Bgy. Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan that is yet to be constructed. Based on the documents from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the 220 meter-structure was supposed to begin last February but when the President visited the area, there was no indication that it even started despite it being marked “completed.” and there were also receipts showing the project was fully paid. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Ten officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office in Bulacan have been relieved from their posts pending an investigation into alleged “ghost projects” in the province, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said on Friday.

This development followed reports on the existence of such projects in some districts, which Bonoan confirmed during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday.

READ: DPWH confirms existence of ‘ghost’ flood control projects in Bulacan

During a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, Bonoan said that the officials were not fired but were placed on “floating status for the time being.”

The DPWH regional office has been overseeing the district office since the officials were relieved almost three weeks ago, he also said.

Among those relieved were former district engineer Henry Alcantara and newly appointed district engineer Brice Hernandez. Alcantara had earlier been recommended for the position of assistant regional director of DPWH Region 4-A.

Bonoan said the recommendation for the new post came before he was released from duty.

“It actually went through the process… his qualifications. He was recommended because he applied,” he said.

The relieved officials, along with the contractors involved in the alleged “ghost projects,” are also set to face sanctions from the DPWH.

Bonoan said he had already issued a memorandum requiring the officials to explain their side, adding that if their explanations are not found convincing, the necessary charges will be filed.

He further said more officials could eventually be relieved from their posts once the government completes its report on these bogus projects.

What prompted the relief?

Although scrutiny of flood-control projects intensified after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address (Sona), Bonoan said the President already had information on anomalies prior to his speech at the Plenary hall.

This information, Bonoan said, was what prompted the relief of the 10 officials.

“There are findings or information about what is happening with the projects in their district office,” Bonoan said.

This explained why Marcos, on Wednesday, conducted an inspection in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan, to see for himself the supposed location of a reinforced concrete river wall project in the community.

He discovered that the P55.7 million project does not exist at all, despite official records labeling it as “completed.”

Lost millions to gambling?

In a privilege speech last Wednesday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Alcantara and Hernandez “share the same love for money,” citing information from his staff.

“It was even reported recently that one of them was able to lose hundreds of millions in a casino here in Manila,” Lacson alleged.

“Mr. President, in this engineering office, under the leadership of the two aforementioned officials, for the year 2024, there are 28 projects, each worth P72 million,” he also said.

READ: Ex-DPWH chief Singson confirms offer to return to old post

In the same speech, Lacson disclosed the existence of a “ghost flood control” project in Sitio Dike, along the Mag-asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The project had a contract cost of P192.9 million and was already declared completed. Yet, upon inspection by Lacson’s team, the project was found to be nonexistent.

The ongoing scrutiny into flood control projects in the country stemmed from Marcos’ warning in his recent Sona that those involved in anomalous flood control projects would be held accountable.

Weeks later, he launched the sumbongsapangulo.ph website, where the public can report any questionable flood prevention project in their area.

Marcos also revealed that around 60 percent of all flood control projects since 2022 either lacked clear descriptions or were located in different areas, despite having the same contract cost.

He also disclosed that 15 contractors accounted for 20 percent of all flood-control projects nationwide. /apl /das