Newly appointed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Monday, Sept. 1, a lifetime blacklist for contractors linked to ghost or substandard projects.
Anyone involved, including company owners, will be banned automatically based on prima facie evidence.
“There will be no processing, no investigation—any contractor involved will be automatically blacklisted for life. A corresponding case will also be filed,” Dizon said in a Palace briefing.
He noted that all evidence gathered by the department would be submitted to the independent commission established by Marcos to investigate anomalous projects and pursue cases against erring officials, contractors, and other responsible individuals.
Dizon cited the “Isumbong sa Pangulo” platform, which has received thousands of complaints, as a key source for identifying ghost projects, and said DPWH procedures would be revised to disqualify flagged contractors immediately.
He added that the department would coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), the MMDA, local governments, and the private sector—including San Miguel Corporation—on long-term flood-mitigation projects.
“This is just the beginning,” Dizon said. “We need to fix this. I cannot accept—and neither can the President—that we just watch on TV while our fellow Filipinos continue to suffer every day. It is unacceptable.”
DPWH SHAKE-UP
Dizon said, he would also issue a memorandum that will seek the submission of courtesy resignation of all ranking officials of the department amid allegations of anomalies in flood control projects.
He said the directive would cover undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, division heads, regional directors, and district engineers.
Replacements are expected to be completed within 30 to 60 days to ensure uninterrupted operations.
He cited a non-existent flood-control project in Bulacan that was paid in full as the impetus for the planned action, saying erring officials would be removed and prosecuted.
Dizon emphasized that only competent and honest staff would be retained after a personnel review, emphasizing the need to place skilled employees in sensitive and critical posts.
“Maraming mabubuti at magagaling na kawani ang DPWH. Ang utos ng ating Pangulo, hanapin sila at sila ang ilagay sa mga sensitibo at importanteng posisyon,” he said. (Trixie Rosel)
