The Daily Tribune
Audit finds fraud risk in P360-M Bulacan flood projects
The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged flood control projects in Bulacan worth over P360 million for potential fraud, submitting fraud audit reports to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure.
These reports identify former and incumbent Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office officials and contractors as liable for graft and malversation of public funds.
The flagged projects include constructions along the Angat River in Pulilan, a riverbank protection structure in Plaridel, and two slope protection projects in Bocaue.
Inspections revealed that several projects were built in different locations than approved in contracts, suggesting the possibility of double-counted accomplishments and underperformance.
For instance, a P92.88 million project by SYMS Construction Trading along the Angat River in Pulilan had a slope-protection structure already in place prior to the contract's effectivity.
Representatives from the DPWH-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office could not provide explanations for these location changes and failed to submit essential supporting documents.
District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto Galang, various project engineers, and SYMS Construction Trading personnel have been identified as liable.
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