Ex-DPWH Engineer Elicits Reactions for Choosing to Visit Casinos Instead of Inspecting Flood Control Projects
An ex-DPWH engineer was criticized for choosing to visit casinos instead of inspecting flood control projects.
A former district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is under fire after admitting that he visited casinos several times a month while failing to personally inspect flood control projects before signing documents certifying their completion.
During a hearing of the House Committee on Infrastructure, Las Piñas Representative Mark Anthony Santos criticized former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara for prioritizing casino trips over his duty to check the status of government projects.
Santos pointed out that taxpayer money was already paid for these projects even though Alcantara had not inspected them.
Alcantara confirmed during the hearing that he visited casinos two to three times a month and even admitted that some of his staff from the district office occasionally accompanied him. The issue raised concerns among lawmakers that similar practices may still be happening within the bureaucracy.
“Mr. Chair, I just like to make a point regarding the negligence on the part of Engineer Alcantara. Nabayaran po natin without inspecting all those projects po. Parang lumalabas po mas prinayoritize pa yung pagpunta nila sa casino, which is alam po nating bawal,” Santos said.
Representative Santos stressed that government employees and officials are prohibited from entering casinos. He asked the committee to invite the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to the next hearing to hold those responsible accountable.
He also suggested involving the Ombudsman and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look deeper into the case.
The committee hearing also revealed that Alcantara signed documents declaring projects as completed even without inspecting them. The negligence has raised questions about the quality and safety of infrastructure projects, particularly those meant to address flooding in affected communities.
Lawmakers expressed their commitment to ensure that public officials are held accountable and that government funds are used properly.
In a previous report, a contractor opposes DPWH’s plan for lifetime ban on ghost & substandard projects
The social media users expressed their reactions to the issue:
