DPWH-Bulacan official admits not checking ‘ghost’ flood control project

Metro Manila, Philippines - A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer admitted that he did not inspect the P55-million river wall project in Bulacan that was not done at all.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he got “very angry” for inspecting a non-existent project that was fully paid.

During the House infrastructure committee hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 2, DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara said the project was marked as completed based on submitted documents.

“Hindi po ba dapat tinitignan n’yo muna [Shouldn’t you check it first]?” said Manila Rep. Joel Chua, good government and public accountability chairman.

Alcantara responded: “Napakarami pong papel na dumadaan po sa ’min everyday. Ako naman po ay nag-iinspeksyon, natapat po siguro.”

[Translation: There are lots of papers submitted to us everyday. I conduct inspections but not at that time.]

Lack of audit personnel

Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit (COA) said it inspects infrastructure projects but not all as they lack personnel.

“Sa isang taon, sa flood control project lang, umaabot siya ng 100 para sa first district ng Bulacan,” COA officer-in-charge Director Tracy Ann Sunico said.

[Translation: In a year, flood control projects reach 100 for the first district of Bulacan.]

Sunico said COA has been flagging irregular flood control projects as early as 2015.

During the first hearing, five out of 16 contractors skipped the hearing.