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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA expedites probe on P44-B flood control projects in Bulacan

COA expedites probe on P44-B flood control projects in Bulacan

Published Aug 26, 2025 02:53 pm
The Commission on Audit (COA) is expediting its own probe on the flood control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan and prioritizing those with huge fund allocations.
COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba ordered Director Flora M. Ruiz of the Technical Services Office to “designate technical personnel for the immediate conduct of technical inspections of all ongoing and completed flood control projects for Jan. 1, 2022 to July 31, 2025 in the province of Bulacan."
Cordova said the technical inspections should prioritize projects based on contract cost starting with the highest-valued projects.
He directed auditors to verify and document two things.
First is "Physical Existence and Status" which, Cordova said, should "confirm the physical existence of the projects and assess their actual progress against the approved work program and schedule, including videos and geo-tagged pictures as part of the documentation."
The second is "Compliance with Design and Specifications" with auditors verifying that "the projects are being implemented in strict adherence to the approved plans and specifications, including basic evaluation on the quality of materials and workmanship."
Cordova said the auditors were directed to submit the Technical Inspection Reports to the Overall Team Supervisor of the Fraud Audit Teams created under COA Office Order No. 2025-807 immediately after every inspection.
He also said: "The Report shall detail the findings for each project, including any identified deficiencies, irregularities, or issues. For this purpose, the designated technical personnel shall be temporarily relieved of their current workload to focus on this undertaking."
Cordoba's orders were issued after the COA-Fraud Audit Office (FAO) received the first batch of documents involving the Bulacan flood control projects, which was estimated at P44 billion.
The DPWH reportedly implemented flood control projects nationwide with a total cost of P548 billion from July 1, 2022 to May 30, 2025.
Out of the total funds for the projects, Region III received P98 billion which represented 18 percent of the shares. Bulacan got P44 billion which is 45 percent of the total amount allotted for Region III.
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