Statement of DPWH on Public Works Officials in Bulacan amid Issues over Flood Control Projects
DPWH CHIEF – Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan spoke on the public works officials in Bulacan amid the flood control project issues in the province.
President Bongbong Marcos is visibly busy visiting the different projects of the government. In a previous podcast interview, the Chief Executive stressed that it is really different to personally go and see the projects as the reports sent to his office may be very far from the reality.
Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos was left “very angry” over a ‘ghost’ Riverwall project in Bulacan that cost the government P55-million. Based on the receipts, the said Riverwall project was already paid in full by the state but not construction of the structure has started.
The said project was supposed set to start last February. Reportedly, it was marked completed but there was no Riverwall in Baliuag, Bulacan when the President personally visited the area.
Amid the deep investigations over the failed flood control projects in the government, Pres. Bongbong Marcos also discovered an incomplete flood control project in Bulacan that was made with substandard materials. He called on the St. Timothy Construction Corporation, the contractor of the said flood control structure, to explain to him.
The St. Timothy was one of the 15 flood control project contractors flagged by Pres. Bongbong Marcos for allegedly getting 20% of the total flood control deals of the government since July 2022 until May 2025.
In a press conference, Marcos Jr. revealed that the expenses of the country on the flood control projects has reached over P500 billion already. Here are the 15 contractors flagged by the Chief Executive:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
Bulacan was determined as the province with the most flood control deals funded by the government. Here are the 20 provinces in the Philippines with the most number of government flood control projects:
- Bulacan – 668
- Cebu – 414
- Isabela – 337
- Pangasinan – 313
- Pampanga – 293
- Albay – 273
- Leyte – 262
- Tarlac – 258
- Camarines Sur – 250
- Ilocos Norte – 224
- Negros Occidental -208
- Cavite – 192
- Batangas – 189
- Misamis Oriental – 181
- Davao Del Sur – 180
- Iloilo – 168
- Rizal – 167
- Cagayan – 167
- La Union – 166
- Nueva Ecija – 163
Recently, DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan clarified that the 10 officials of the Public Works’ district office in Bulacan are currently “on floating status for the time being” and were not fired. Based on a report on Inquirer, Bonoan said they were given three (3) days to explain the flood control projects in the province.
Furthermore, the DPWH Chief also expressed that if they will not find the explanations of the 10 Public Works officials convincing, they will have to face charges.
“They will be charged. We’re just collating the documents. I gave them three days to explain, and if we find it not convincing, we have to file the necessary charges,” Bonoan said.
According to the DPWH Chief, the 10 Public Works officials were relieved from office three (3) weeks ahead of the investigation of the “ghost” flood control projects under the DPWH 1st District Engineering Office. Based on the report, Bonoan confirmed that the private contractors who won the bids will also have liabilities.
Amid the issues on flood control deals, the Commission on Elections confirmed that it is against the rules that flood control project contractors of the government will donate to the election candidates. However, the Comelec admitted that they have yet to discuss on the liability of the public officials who received donations from government contractors.
Previously, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero admitted to receiving P30 million campaign donation from one of the flood control project contractors flagged by Marcos Jr.