Chief of DPWH Speaks on Flood Control Project Issues in Bulacan
DPWH – 10 Public Works officials in Bulacan are not fired but under a “floating status” amid the issues over flood control projects.
Following the wrath of the Southwest monsoon and tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong that once again reminded the government and the Filipino people of the constant problem about flood in the country, Pres. Bongbong Marcos admitted that he personally saw the failed flood control structures in several areas in the country.
During his 4th State of the Nation Address or SONA, Marcos Jr. blamed the failed flood control projects with the flooding in several areas across the nation. Even Senator Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that it was his first time to hear a president blaming a project for the flooding in the country and he did not expect that Marcos Jr. will really mention the failed project.
Following his admissions during his 4th SONA last July 28, Marcos Jr. has recently visited several projects of the government to personally see their status. However, in Bulacan, Pres. Bongbong Marcos was left disappointed that he called on the contractor of a flood control project to explain.
According to Marcos Jr., the flood control project was incomplete and they found out that the structure was made of substandard materials. They hired divers to really check on the output of St. Timothy Construction Corporation.
Marcos Jr. previously named 15 flood control project contractors that got 20% of the P545-billion spending of the government on the flood control deals. St. Timothy Construction Corp. is the third firm to be awarded with the most flood control deals.
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
Recently, amid the issues about the different failed flood control projects in the country, it was found out that the province of Bulacan has the most number of state-funded flood control projects. Here are the 20 provinces with the most flood control projects under the Marcos administration:
- Bulacan – 668
- Cebu – 414
- Isabela – 337
- Pangasinan – 313
- Pampanga – 293
- Albay – 273
- Leyte – 262
- Tarlac – 258
- Camarines Sur – 250
- Ilocos Norte – 224
- Negros Occidental -208
- Cavite – 192
- Batangas – 189
- Misamis Oriental – 181
- Davao Del Sur – 180
- Iloilo – 168
- Rizal – 167
- Cagayan – 167
- La Union – 166
- Nueva Ecija – 163
Amid the issues over the flood control projects in Bulacan, the Department of Public Works and Highways clarified that the 10 DPWH officials in Bulacan district were not fired from their posts but they are under a “floating status as of the time being”. Based on a report on Inquirer, Public Works Chief Manuel Bonoan revealed that they were given 3 days to explain the flood control projects in the province.
The DPWH Secretary assured that if the explanation of the 10 Public Works officials in Bulacan regarding the flood control projects are not convincing, they will face charges. Based on the report, Bonoan claimed that they are already collecting the documents.
“They will be charged. We’re just collating the documents. I gave them three days to explain, and if we find it not convincing, we have to file the necessary charges,” the DPWH Chief said.
Amid the issue, the Commission on Elections said that the government contractors who donated to election candidates may face punishment. However, the Comelec also admitted that they have yet to discuss the liability on the part of the public officials who received campaign donations from government contractors.