The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will file criminal charges against several district engineers and contractor Wawao Builders after uncovering a P96.5-million ghost flood-control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.
During an inspection on Thursday, Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon confirmed the dismissal of suspended Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and said charges will be lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman next week.
The project was declared “completed” in June 2025, even though construction began only three weeks ago.
The DPWH will also pursue charges against suspended Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez and Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, former head of the Construction Section of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
“I will order the DPWH legal team to prepare the necessary recommendation supported by documents to file appropriate charges. This is criminal,” Dizon said.
The P96.5-million flood control project along the Angat River, Sipat section, was awarded to Wawao Builders. Dizon said the company will be perpetually blacklisted, alongside SYMS Construction Trading, previously linked to similar anomalies.
“We recommend filing charges with the DOJ against Wawao, SYMS, and all the people involved, including the beneficial owners,” Dizon added.
He stressed that the crackdown forms part of a broader clean-up at the DPWH.
“The president’s marching order to me is clear: we must not allow this to happen anymore, and we must hold accountable those who have done this,” he said.
On Wednesday, September 3, Dizon also suspended bidding for all locally funded projects and sought an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against 27 individuals, including DPWH officials and private contractors, as the agency races to complete a 30 to 60-day reorganization aimed at restoring public trust.
