COA orders fraud audit of Bulacan flood control projects

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered a fraud audit of flood control projects in Bulacan province following recent flooding and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s initiative.

Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba mandated all supervising auditors and audit team leaders from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Offices in Region 3 to submit relevant documents for the audit.

The audit is aimed at addressing issues raised by President Marcos, who has warned government personnel against stealing public funds designated for flood control projects.

Bulacan province received P44 billion for flood control projects, accounting for 45% of the funding in Region 3.

President Marcos launched a website on flood control projects and highlighted that only five contractors have contracts across the country with 20% of the P545-billion budget.

COA's audit will investigate allegations of anomalies, including reports of incomplete and substandard construction by St. Timothy Construction Corp. in Calumpit, Bulacan.