COA flags P325-M Bulacan flood control projects over alleged anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged four flood control projects in Bulacan worth over P325 million after state auditors found alleged ghost projects, unauthorized relocations, and payments for structures that were either missing or already existed before the contracts took effect.

In a statement dated Jan. 16 but released on Tuesday, the commission said it has filed four fraud audit reports (FARs) before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) involving flood control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office. The projects were awarded to Wawao Builders and Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading.

READ: COA flags 4 Bulacan flood control projects worth P330M 

Using physical inspections, drone surveillance, geotagged photographs, and historical satellite imagery, state auditors disclosed that they found several flood control projects that either did not exist at their approved sites, were relocated without authority, or involved payments for structures that were already in place before the contracts took effect.

The FARs also flagged serious documentation gaps, including missing as-built plans, cost breakdowns, geotechnical reports, and complete statements of work accomplished.

The fraud audit reports covered the following projects:

• Wawao Builders – Construction of riverbank protection structure at Barangay Santa Cruz, Guiguinto, Bulacan (P96.49 million), where COA found the structure was not built at the approved site and appeared to have been relocated without authority.
• Wawao Builders – Construction of riverbank protection structure at Barangay Iba-Ibayo, Hagonoy, Bulacan (P77.19 million), where no structure was found at the designated site despite the project being declared 100 percent complete. The structure identified by DPWH officials was located approximately 694 meters from the approved site, according to the report. 
• Wawao Builders – Construction of riverbank protection structure at Barangay San Jose, Calumpit, Bulacan (P77.19 million), which showed inconsistencies in project location and measurements, including markings linked to a different contract.
• Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading – Construction of riverbank protection structure at Barangay Babatnin, Malolos City, Bulacan (P74.12 million), where the commission found no structure at the approved site and determined that the structure identified by DPWH existed nearly a year before the contract took effect.

Below are the DPWH officials and contractor representatives that COA said should be held accountable for the questioned projects:

• Henry C. Alcantara
• Brice Ericson D. Hernandez
• Ernesto Galang
• Jaypee Mendoza
• Paul Jayson Duya
• Jolo Mari Tayao
• Lemuel Ephraim Roque
• Sheena Bernadette Morales
• John Michael E. Ramos
• Ericka Justine P. Chico
• Isiah Lor V. Galang
• Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders
• Darcy Kimel D. Respecio of Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading  

COA said the individuals involved may face charges for graft and corruption, malversation of public funds, and falsification of documents, as well as violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 and procurement rules. /das