ICI recommends graft charges vs DPWH execs, Co over ₱289.5-M flood control project

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) on Monday, Sept. 29, the filing of graft and malversation of public funds charges against several persons in the P289.5 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

- CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI

In a 32-page report submitted to Acting Ombudsman Dante F. Vargas, the ICI said the project was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-B in 2024 through Sunwest, Inc., a company affiliated with Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co. On Monday, Co filed his irrevocable resignation as member of the House of Representatives.

Named in the ICI recommendation were Co, DPWH Region IV-B Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan III, Assistant Regional Director Gene Ryan A. Altea, Assistant Regional Director Ruben C. Santos Jr., bids and awards committee (BAC) Chairperson and Construction Division Chief Dominic G. Serrano, Vice Chairperson Friedrich Karl L. Camero, member Grace D. Lopez, Project Engineer III Felisardo S.

Casuno, Materials Engineer Timojen A. Sacar, Planning and Design Division OIC-Chief Montrexis T. Tamayo, Maintenance Division Chief Juliet C.

Calvo, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division OIC-Chief, Accountant IV Lerma D. Cayco, Sunwest president and chairman of the Board of Directors (BOD) Aderma Angelie D.

Alcazar, BOD Treasurer Cesar X. Buenaventura, as well as BOD members Consuelo D. Aldon, Engr. Noel Y. Cao, and Anthony L. Ngo.

In its report, the ICI lambasted the project for being "grossly substandard and not in line with required specifications," with steel sheet piles falling short of the required length indicated in the contract agreement.

The contract with Sunwest was part of the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) for flood mitigation and construction of dike along Mag-Asawang Tubig River, Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which had an approved budget of P289,499,999.99.