ICI flags P72M ‘ghost’ flood control project in Bulacan

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure submitted its third report to the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, November 4, flagging possible violations in a P72.3-million flood control project in Bulacan that was reportedly paid in full despite not being built at its intended site.

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According to an ICI media briefer shared on Tuesday, the project in question was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office through contractor Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.

Based on project documents, the contractor was supposed to build a riverbank protection structure along Barangay Bagong Silang, Plaridel. However, a report later endorsed by the Commission on Audit (COA) found that no structure was built at the location stated in the approved bid plans. Instead, it was allegedly relocated to a different site without proper authorization or sufficient documentation to justify the change.