DPWH to file cases vs officials, contractors over anomalous flood control projects

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced that criminal cases will be filed against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.

The second batch of complaints will be filed by the DPWH next Wednesday, following a recent uncovering of three "ghost" flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro totaling P750 million.

These nonexistent projects were intended for road dike constructions along Panggalan River, Tubig River, and Catuiran River in Naujan.

The DPWH previously filed a graft complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 agency officials and four contractors over anomalous flood control projects, including St. Timothy Construction Corporation, former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, and former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

In Oriental Mindoro, cases will be filed against construction companies Sunwest Inc., St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Elite General Contractor and Development Corporation.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor previously noted a pattern of "chopped" flood control projects, where the same contractor was given multiple phases, suggesting a scheme to multiply contracts.

Dizon also ordered the suspension of a flood control project in Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan, due to serious defects found less than a year after its completion.

The DPWH has received nearly 100 complaints of ghost or defective flood projects nationwide.