Pampanga, Philippines – Three officials from the Pampanga 2nd district engineering office were relieved from their posts for allegedly demanding commissions from infrastructure projects, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Friday, Jan. 30.
At the sidelines of his inspection of the collapsed flood control dike in Brgy. Candating, Arayat, Pampanga on Friday, Jan. 30, Dizon named three officials in the alleged corruption: Ronilo Magtoto, maintenance section chief, and construction section engineers Arnold Domingo and Jefferson Guinto.
A memorandum dated Jan. 29 stated the relief order, as well as the reassignment of the three personnel to the Office of the Regional Director.
Dizon said he received a report that the three officials were supposedly seeking up to eight percent commission from projects.
He did not provide other details, saying the agency will conduct a full-blown investigation.
The DPWH chief gave a stern warning to agency personnel who will continue to engage in corruption.
“Sa lahat ng mga DPWH officials, one strike policy dito. Kapag may nag-report, tanggal sila. Relieved sila. Imbestigahan sila, kapag may napatunayan ‘yan na may ginawa silang kalokohan, hindi lang sila tanggal, kakasuhan sila,” Dizon said.
[Translation: For all DPWH officials, there is a one-strike policy here. If someone is reported, they will be removed. They will be relieved of their posts. They will be investigated, and if it is proven that they committed any wrongdoing, they will not only be dismissed but will also face charges.]
Since November, a number of DPWH personnel from different districts have been detained, while facing trial for their graft and non-bailable malversation charges in relation to substandard or non-existent flood control projects.
Probe on collapsed dike
Meanwhile, Dizon also ordered an investigation on those involved in the flood control dike in Arayat, Pampanga, which collapsed for the second time last week and damaged over 20 households.
He said the probe covers the supposed links of a lawmaker to the contractor of the P96.5 million project, Eddmari Construction and Trading.
Dizon said the area may be tagged as a danger zone, which would require forced evacuation for residents.
Pampanga Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, who joined the inspection, said the DPWH will assess how far people in the area should be relocated.
Dizon said the agency plans to excavate a retention basin to control waterflow and reduce flood risks.
He said the contractor also vowed to fix the project at no cost to the government.
