(UPDATE) TEN officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office in Bulacan have been relieved pending an investigation into alleged “ghost projects,” including a non-existent P55.7-million flood control project in Baliwag City, Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Friday.

The move came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself discovered that the supposed 220-meter reinforced concrete river wall in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliwag, did not exist.

The project had been awarded to Syms Construction Trading.

10 DPWH execs in Bulacan relieved over ghost flood control projects

“I relieved all of them. They are now in the regional office, so they’re no longer functioning in their district engineering office,” Bonoan said.

Among those affected were former district engineer Henry Alcantara, who had been recommended for a higher post but has since been recalled, and his successor, Brice Hernandez.

Both are now on floating status.

Bonoan said a show-cause order had been issued to the officials and contractors involved.

“Once they submit their explanations, if we are not convinced, we will impose suspensions and file the necessary charges,” he said, adding that the department’s legal service is consolidating documents for possible criminal and administrative cases.

Bonoan said Syms Construction has not been blacklisted, stressing that due process must be followed.

“Blacklisting is for one year. But if they are criminally charged and found liable, then they face perpetual disqualification from government projects,” he said.

Bonoan said ghost projects go beyond administrative liability.

“Aside from blacklisting, there is criminal liability here,” he said.

During a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing this week, Bonoan confirmed reports of irregularities in Bulacan and Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

In Naujan, a P192.9-million flood control project declared as completed was also found to be non-existent.

The inquiry follows Marcos’ recent State of the Nation Address, where he warned contractors and government officials behind anomalous projects that they would be held accountable., This news data comes from:http://771bg.com

The President has since launched the sumbongsapangulo.ph website, where the public can report questionable flood prevention projects.

Marcos earlier revealed that about 60 percent of flood-control projects since 2022 either lacked proper descriptions or were mismatched with their listed locations, despite having identical contract costs.

On Friday, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) expressed support for the President’s call for transparency and accountability in flood control projects.

The group, led by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, said city mayors backed a full government accounting and performance review of flood mitigation programs.

“We, city mayors, have witnessed firsthand these alarming events that cause our constituents to suffer — from loss of life and livelihood to disruptions in children’s education, as well as increased health risks such as leptospirosis brought about by unmitigated flooding,” the LCP said.

“We commend the President’s directives and express our full support for the ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies,” it said.

The league urged national government agencies to “report truthfully” on the status of existing infrastructure projects.

It said long-term, science-based, and sustainable solutions must replace corrupt and ineffective practices.

The group said it welcomed private-sector partnerships and remains open to dialogue and collaboration to ensure effective implementation.