Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon expressed dismay after he discovered that a flood control project in Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro was damaged barely a year after it was built.

“Clearly, hindi siya ghost. Mayroon naman, pero ang dami ko nakikita agad na major na problem hindi lang sa paggawa kung hindi sa proseso. Dito na tayo pupunta dun sa structural at systemic problem sa loob ng DPWH,” Dizon said during an inspection with Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor on Tuesday.

(Clearly this is not a ghost project but I see structural and procedural defects here. We will check the structural and systemic problem in the DPWH)

Dizon and Dolor measured the multi-million project that had a depth of three meters instead of the 12 meters according to plans.

The DPWH chief ordered the project stopped and a review of the project to determine if taxpayer’s money was properly spent.

He ordered former DPWH 4-B Director Engr. Gerald Pacanan to explain the project. Pacanan was replaced by Engr. Editha R. Babaran in a nationwide reshuffle of district engineers and regional directors implemented by then DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Dizon said all those responsible for the 1.5-kilometer project will be held accountable.

"’Yung lahat ng responsible dito, mananagot dito. ‘Yun lang naman ang utos ni Presidente eh. Lahat ng kailangan managot ay dapat managot,” Dizon said.

Dolor told Dizon that the project was divided among three controversial contractors – Saint Timothy Construction Corp., Elite General Contractor and Development Corp., and Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.

"Itong stretch na ito seven projects. Limang phase. Pare-pareho ng amount at pare-pareho ng lugar. Bakit pa chinap-chop e iisa lang naman ang contractor, iisa ang date of bidding, iisa ang date of award, iisa ang date of contract, iisa ang date of notice to proceed at iisa ang date of received ng company?" Dolor said.

(This stretch has seven projects. Five phases. Same amount, same place. Why these were divided with only one contractor, date of bidding, date of award, date of contract, date of notice to proceed, and date of company received?)

Dizon could not hide his anger over what he saw.

“Talagang nakaka-galit ito. Blatant violation ito ng contract terms eh. Sobrang nahihirapan ang mga kababayan natin na dumaranas parati ng matinding baha tapos itong proyekto na dapat na magprotekta sa kanila, hindi kayang gampanan ‘yun.”

(I am angry. This is a violation of the contract. Our people are suffering from floods and this project that was supposed to protect them failed)

Dizon conducted the inspection in compliance with the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to inspect and determine flood control projects.