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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA submits to ICI findings on P330-M 'ghost' flood control projects in Bulacan; recommends filing of charges

COA submits to ICI findings on P330-M 'ghost' flood control projects in Bulacan; recommends filing of charges

Published Dec 18, 2025 10:11 am
The Commission on Audit (COA) turned over to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) four fraud audit reports (FAR) on P330 million "ghost" flood-control projects in Bulacan and recommended the prosecution of those responsible.
It said the projects were implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and Wawao Builders.
"COA's special audit team (SAT) found strong indications that public funds were exposed to possible fraud through non-existent structures, relocated projects, and unsupported claims of 100 percent completion," the COA said in its reports.
The COA recommended the filing of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents against those responsible in the four “ghost” projects.
It said the first project, with a total cost of P77,197,885.27, was for the construction of a riverbank protection structure at Barangay Calero, Malolos City, Bulacan.
However, it also said that its technical inspection and review of geotagged photos and satellite images confirmed that no riverbank protection structure was constructed at the approved site, nor at the location identified by the DPWH representative, even if the project records reported full completion.
The COA recommended that Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Ernesto C. Galang, Jaypee D. Mendoza, Engineer Paul Jayson F. Duya, Engineer Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Engineer Lemuel Ephraim SD Roque, Engineer Sheena Bernadette B. Morales, and Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders are held liable.
The second project was for the construction of a riverbank protection structure at Barangay Malis (Phase III) in Guiguinto, Bulacan for P98,999,939.04.
The COA said the riverbank protection structure was not constructed at the coordinates and alignment specified in the approved Detailed Engineering Design Plans. Instead, it was built along another stretch of the river opposite of the approved site, it also said.
It recommended Alcantara, Galang, Brice Hernandez, Engineer Jaime R. Hernandez, Engineer Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan, Engineer Emelita V. Morales, Engineer John Michael F. Ramos, Engineer Paycee Nicole D. Dimaano, Engineer Isiah Lor V. Galang, and Arevalo are held liable for this botched project.
The third project involving P77,199,991.76 was for the construction of flood mitigation structures along Bulusan in Calumpit, Bulacan.
The COA said that when it looked at the satellite imagery of the project, there was no slope protection constructed. Drone footage and on-ground inspection also showed no evidence of any construction activity even though the Work Accomplished reported 100 percent completed, it also said.
Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, Galang, Tayao, Ramos, Engineer Mark Lester S. Castro, and Arevalo were recommended for prosecution.
Finally, the fourth project involved the construction of a riverbank protection structure at Barangay Namayan in Malolos City, Bulacan for P77,115,140.90. The COA pointed out that there was no riverbank protection structure at the project site even months after the contract's expiry date.
It added that the audit team was even led to a different area when they touched base with the DPWH, but there was no documentation provided to support the reported relocation pointed out by the DPWH representative.
The COA recommended the prosecution of Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, Galang, Roque, Tayao, Duya, Ramos, and Arevalo.
"These reports solidify our mandate to hold negligent public officials and private contractors accountable for compromised infrastructure spending. Our audit's core objective is to ensure the integrity of every peso, guaranteeing its allocation to resilient, operational infrastructure that truly protects vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of flooding," said COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba.
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