DPWH chief confirms ‘ghost’ flood control projects

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Tuesday, Aug. 19, admitted that some flood control projects in Bulacan may be “ghost projects.”

- By DHEL NAZARIO and DEXTER BARRO II

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Bonoan, under questioning by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, said that there seem to be ghost projects as reported to him.

“In all honesty, Your Honor, I think so,” Bonoan said when Estrada asked if he believed ghost projects were present.

Estrada pressed him further, citing reports received by his office that projects in Calumpit, Malolos, and Hagonoy, Bulacan were ghost projects allegedly awarded to Wawao Builders and SYMS contractors.

Bonoan replied: “Yes—that’s true, the information we received.”

Wawao Builders is among the top 15 contractors named by President Marcos that received the bulk of the government’s flood control projects over the years.

Rotation of district engineers

Bonoan approved on Tuesday the rotation of district engineers nationwide as part of the stricter accountability in flood control projects.

The policy mandates district engineers to rotate every three years, following Senator JV Ejercito's call for accountability for officials involved in ghost and fraudulent works.

Ejercito also urged authorities to investigate possible collusion between government officials and private contractors linked to irregularities in flood control projects.

"Ongoing naman. Actually, marami kaming ni-rorotate ngayon na mga district engineers so I think, siguro napapanahon na nga siguro...

Pag-isip-isipan namin 'yung mga ganyang pagro-rotate (It's already ongoing. Actually, we are currently rotating many district engineers, so I think it might be timely. We will carefully consider such rotations)," Bonoan said.

Bonoan disclosed that Wawao Builders had secured projects worth P9 billion nationwide, including P5.97 billion for 85 projects in Bulacan alone, all under the First Engineering District Office. In these 85 projects, he said that there could be "some" ghost projects.