Sets lifetime ban on 2 contractors over ‘ghost’ flood control deals
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday ordered the dismissal of former Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara, who earlier admitted signing a completion certificate for a P55-million flood-control project that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier found to be non-existent.
Dizon also ordered the lifetime blacklisting of contractors Wawao Builders and Syms Construction Trading over “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan.
“Engr. Alcantara, starting today, is now dismissed from the service,” the Public Works chief said during an inspection of a flood control initiative in Brgy. Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan.
“I will also order the perpetual lifetime blacklisting of Wawao Builders from DPWH and all their possible affiliates. We will have them banned along with Syms,” he added.
Wawao Builders is the contractor of what Dizon referred to as a “ghost project” in Plaridel valued at P96 million.
He said all contractors of “ghost” flood control projects must face an “automatic perpetual ban” from the DPWH.
Dizon said he will also sign the dismissal orders of DPWH engineers Brice Fernandez and Jaypee Mendoza for their alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
He said the dismissal is part of the ongoing cleansing of the DPWH as instructed by the President.
As this developed, the Department of Justice confirmed the issuance of another Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against 43 DPWH officials and contractors allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the second batch ILBO covers the request made by Dizon. The first ILBO issued Wednesday was for the request made by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
Included in the said list were spouses Sarah and Pacifico Discaya from Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor and Development Corporation; Alex and Raymond Abelido from Legacy Construction Corp.; and Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corp.
The Justice Secretary reminded these individuals not to leave the country as they will have to answer lengthy questions if they insist on doing so.
“It will not be a pleasant experience because this is a government concern. We have to do this as a matter of defense of the state. We need to protect our state,” Remulla said.
Meanwhile, Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) executive director lawyer Herbert Matienzo has resigned due to personal reasons.
Two other board members have tendered their resignations, adding to the mounting fallout from an ongoing corruption probe into the agency’s role in questionable flood control projects.
PCAB earlier revoked the contractors’ licenses of nine companies owned or controlled by the Discayas.
Despite the resignations, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said all officials involved are still subject to an internal investigation.
“They’re not off the hook. They’re still part of the total investigation,” she added.
For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson called for a complete overhaul of the PCAB.
“The PCAB has been a low-key yet corrupt-ridden regulatory body which, in tandem with the DPWH, has methodically punched us in the gut, providing the first of a one-two punch thus knocking out our hard-earned tax payments,” Lacson said.
Earlier, Lacson had flagged suspicious practices in PCAB, including the alleged sale of accreditations and conflicts of interest involving at least two board members.
He said some board members also owned construction firms that benefited from government contracts approved by the same body.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Dizon fires Alcantara, others linked to flood control mess”
