Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon (Photo: DPWH)

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has vowed on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to dismiss district engineers and contractors involved in irregular road reblocking and flood-control projects as the agency’s investigation uncovers a broader network of anomalies nationwide.

In an interview, Dizon said several district engineers may face dismissal for defying the department’s indefinite suspension of road reblocking activities.

“Marami nga po hindi sumusunod. Kaya po talagang magiging basehan pa ulit ito sa pagtanggal pa namin sa ibang mga district engineers na hindi sumusunod (Many are not following the rules. This will definitely serve as a basis for removing other district engineers who fail to comply),” Dizon said.

Under the Administrative Code of 1987 and existing civil service regulations, the DPWH Secretary has the authority to remove or suspend district engineers for administrative misconduct or neglect of duty.

Contractors found violating contract terms or engaging in anomalous practices may face termination of contracts, blacklisting, or legal action, depending on the gravity of the offense.

The suspension order was issued after reports surfaced of contractors profiting from unnecessary repairs, including tearing up newly paved roads under the guise of “preventive maintenance.”

“Ngayon po, madaling nilang sabihin na kahit maayos ang kalsada, sige reblocking natin kasi kasama ’yan sa preventive maintenance. Pero hindi po natin alam talaga kung kailangan na talaga itong i-reblock. Kailangan baguhin na po itong sistema (Now, they can easily claim that even if the road is in good condition, reblocking must proceed because it is considered preventive maintenance. But we really do not know if it truly needs reblocking. The system needs to be changed),” Dizon said.

He emphasized that the indefinite suspension covers all road reblocking works nationwide, including major thoroughfares such as EDSA, except those related to underground repairs or drainage improvement projects.

“Ito talagang hindi lang source of abuse. Ito po talaga ay napakalaking terorismo sa ating mga kababayan (This is not just a source of abuse. This is truly a massive form of terrorism against our citizens),” Dizon said.

Dizon also disclosed that the DPWH’s probe into flood-control project irregularities has widened, revealing new names beyond those previously tagged in the controversial “ghost” projects.

“Actually, mas malawak na ngayon. Hindi lang ’yong mga usual na pangalan ang lumalabas ngayon (Actually, it is much wider now. It is not just the usual names that are emerging),” Dizon said, referring to findings from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

He noted that the next set of cases to be filed by the ICI will include new contractors allegedly involved in anomalous flood-control projects.

“Kapag nakita n’yo po ’yong mga kasong ipa-file ng ICI sa susunod, mayroon na pong ibang mga contractor na pangalan na makikita n’yo do’n. Hindi na po ito ’yong usual (When you see the cases that ICI will file next, there will be new contractor names appearing. These are no longer the usual ones),” Dizon said.

Dizon clarified that while the department continues to monitor previously identified “Discaya contractors” linked to ghost projects, several new entities have also come under scrutiny.

“Although marami pa rin po do’n sa mga nakalista na ’ghost’ projects ay ’yong usuals lalo na ’yong mga Discaya contractors, pero meron na pong mga iba (Although many of the projects listed as ‘ghost’ projects are still the usual ones, especially the Discaya contractors, there are now others),” Dizon said.

Earlier this month, Dizon reiterated that the DPWH will pursue the recovery of billions of pesos in public funds defrauded by erring contractors.

“As I’ve said during our press conference when we filed the first cases before the Philippine Competition Commission, we will throw everything in the book at these contractors to hold them accountable and recover the public funds,” Dizon said in a radio interview on Oct. 6.