DPWH goes after properties, vehicles of personnel, contractors in flood scam

THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is coordinating with other agencies to probe real estate properties and high-value vehicles of contractors and DPWH personnel involved in anomalous flood control projects for a potential freeze order.

- By Adrian H. Halili

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon said that the agency had written to the Land Registration Authority (LRA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to provide registered land properties, vehicles, water vessels, and aircraft of the 26 contractors and DPWH personnel involved in the flood control scam.

“We also need to know this and eventually freeze these assets because we need to be sure that we can recover all that we can recover from those who stole the country’s funds,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a Senate Blue Ribbon hearing on Thursday.

Last week, the Public Works department filed complaints against 20 DPWH officials and six contractors connected with anomalous flood control projects.

The Court of Appeals had also approved a freeze order on the bank accounts and insurance policies of those involved.