The Commission on Audit (COA) has issued a report against several DPWH-Bulacan engineers and three contractors for anomalous flood control projects worth ₱342.66 million. The report will be forwarded to the Ombudsman for possible criminal and administrative charges.
Among those named are District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant Engineer Bryce Ericson Hernandez, and other DPWH-Bulacan officials. Also included are officials of three private contractors—Wawao Builders, St. Timothy Construction Corp., and SYMS Construction Trading.
One of the projects in Barangay Frances that was said to be completed was found by the COA to have defective work and lack of documentation. In Barangay Sta. Lucia, the dike was leaning, cracked, and not properly aligned. In Barangay Bulusan, a P38.49M difference in the project cost was also found.
In other barangays, it was discovered that the installed steel was insufficient but the contractor was still paid in full. Worst of all, in Barangay Piel in Baliuag, no construction was seen even though the ₱55.73M project was fully paid.
According to the COA, there are clear indications of ghost projects and overpricing. At the same time, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said that the investigation is ongoing and more reports will be submitted in the coming days.
