Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon expressed his disappointment upon discovering that the P180-million flood control project in Barangay Acao, Bauang, La Union was still incomplete despite being officially declared finished on March 16, 2025.
Dizon and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, acting as Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser, inspected flood control projects in La Union and found out that the structure was built with substandard materials.
The DPWH chief noted that fake tubes were used in the dike’s construction. “These tubes are supposed to serve as outlets for water during flooding, but they’re not passable, which compromises the dike’s integrity,” he said.
Dizon said he intends to invite the regional director of the DPWH La Union region and the district engineer to address questions regarding the declaration of the project as completed, even though construction is still ongoing and inferior materials were used.
The contractor, Silverwolves Construction Corporation, will also be invited to answer questions regarding the poor quality of their work. “The project seems to be rushed to completion despite being declared finished earlier,” Dizon said.
According to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, the company was awarded seven flood control projects worth P623-million even though these projects had no allocated budget in the 2024 National Expenditure Program.
Dizon said he will investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the anomalies and will file charges against erring officials and contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects.
He added the DPWH is preparing for the second batch of cases to be filed over substandard flood control projects with the list of respondents still being finalized at present.
