Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday, Sept. 16, vowed to hold contractors and district officials accountable for what he called “super substandard” and incomplete flood control projects in Bauang, La Union—despite being declared 100 percent complete in March this year.
Joined by Baguio City Mayor and Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong, Dizon led an inspection of nine flood mitigation projects across Tubao, Agoo, Naguilian, and Bauang, with a combined contract value of P576.73 million.
Two projects in Bauang—Package 5 and Package 6 of the Bauang River Basin, implemented by Silverwolves Construction Corporation—were flagged as especially problematic.
Dizon said both showed signs of weak construction and unfinished sections, contradicting their reported completion on March 16.
“These projects are not props for photos. They are lifelines for people who face floods every year,” Dizon said, adding that the DPWH central office will conduct a technical review and pursue sanctions against any contractors or district officials found to have misreported project status or used inferior materials.
Magalong backed the call for stricter oversight, saying 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.
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 P576,734,565.49 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. (Trixee Rosel)
