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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Dizon slams 'super substandard' La Union flood works; ₱576.73-M projects under review

Dizon slams 'super substandard' La Union flood works; ₱576.73-M projects under review

Published Sep 16, 2025 12:38 pm  |  Updated Sep 16, 2025 01:16 pm
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon (right) and ICI Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong (left) inspect flood control projects along the Bauang River Basin in La Union on September 16, 2025. The officials noted two recently completed packages with substandard work and incomplete sections, part of nine flood mitigation projects in the province worth around ₱576.73 million. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon (right) and ICI Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong (left) inspect flood control projects along the Bauang River Basin in La Union on September 16, 2025. The officials noted two recently completed packages with substandard work and incomplete sections, part of nine flood mitigation projects in the province worth around ₱576.73 million. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday, Sept. 16, slammed what he called “super substandard” and incomplete flood control projects in Bauang, La Union that were declared as completed in March this year.
Dizon, joined by Baguio City Mayor and Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong, led an inspection of nine flood mitigation projects in Tubao, Agoo, Naguilian, and Bauang with a combined contract value of about ₱576.73 million.
Two projects in Bauang—Package 5 and Package 6 of the Bauang River Basin, implemented by Silverwolves Construction Corporation—stood out as especially problematic, according to the DPWH. 
Dizin said both projects showed signs of weak construction and incomplete sections, despite being listed as 100 percent finished on March 16.
“These projects are not props for photos. They are lifelines for people who face floods every year,” Dizon said, vowing that the DPWH central office will conduct a technical review and hold accountable any contractors or district officials found to have misreported project status or used inferior materials.
Magalong backed the call for tougher oversight, stressing that the ICI will coordinate with DPWH to verify field findings.
“Public funds must be used with integrity. We will intensify field checks to prevent ‘paper’ completions,” he said.
Photo courtesy of DPWH
Photo courtesy of DPWH
The inspection also covered projects along the Aringay River Basin in Tubao, slope protection works in Agoo, and additional flood control structures in Naguilian.
Regional records show a total of ₱576,734,565.49 in contracts under review.
DPWH officials said technical teams will evaluate field findings and geotagged submissions against contracts and as-built reports to determine any administrative or legal action.
Dizon warned that contractors and district engineers proven to have used substandard materials or misreported project completion will face sanctions.
Residents in flood-prone communities have long pressed for stronger flood protection, while civic groups and local officials pledged to closely monitor the outcome of the DPWH review.

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DPWH Vince Dizon La Union Bauang River Basin Flood Control Projects infrastructure oversight
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