COA, DPWH submit to Ombudsman evidence on P342.6-M ‘anomalous’ flood control projects

State auditors discovered that it was listed as “100-percent complete” but the contractor only finished 77.90 meters—falling short of the 124 meters stated in the original proposal.

- 

The COA said that Wawao Builders was likewise paid an additional P3,130,041.22 without any documentation that would explain why the costs went up, which, the commission said, was contrary to the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

“During the inspection, shoddy workmanship issues were easily seen. Numerous cracks along the dike crest were observed, with an approximate total crack length of 3.9 meters and with crack width varying from 2 to 3.2 centimeters. Also, uneven concrete surfaces along the structure were evident,” the COA said.

It said that another botched project from Wawao Builders is the construction of flood mitigation structures for P74,041,090.22 at Barangay Sta. Lucia. While the project was deemed “90-percent complete,” auditors said they could not confirm this as the dike was tilting, misaligned, and “riddled with cracks”.

Named liable from Wawao Builders is Mark Allan V. Arevalo together with District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Project Engineer Paul Jayson F. Duya, Construction Section chief Jaypee D. Mendoza.

St. Timothy, allegedly linked to the family of Sarah Discaya and her husband, Pacifico Discaya, was included in the COA audit for two projects. The first was the rehabilitation of River Protection Structure in Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan with a total contract cost of 96,498,200.70.