Dizon also seeks contractors watchlist under Marcos’s anti-graft drive
Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon ordered a temporary suspension of all bidding for locally funded infrastructure projects and requested hold-departure orders against 27 individuals suspected of links to anomalous flood-control projects.
Dizon announced on Wednesday an immediate action to combat corruption in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s intensified campaign to “clean up” the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and ensure that government funds are not wasted.
The bidding suspension, which covers a two-week period, applies to all local infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and flood control at the national, regional and district levels.
“The president has made it very clear—he does not want any government funds thrown in the rivers again,” Dizon said during turnover ceremonies for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Dizon clarified that projects funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA) will proceed as planned, given that they are subject to rigorous evaluations and stricter oversight by foreign partners.
Urgent request for an ILBO
Dizon also requested the urgent issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to monitor the travel of persons of interest in legal proceedings, in this case 27 individuals who are allegedly involved in “ghost” flood control projects and substandard flood control works.
Dizon made this request in a letter addressed to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
The timely issuance of the order is of “utmost necessity” to allow ongoing investigations to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable, Dizon said.
In a separate statement, Remulla on Wednesday said he will sign the request for an ILBO against several officials and contractors related to allegedly anomalous projects.
The 27 individuals named in the request include 11 DPWH officials and 16 private contractors. The DPWH released the names of the officials as:
OIC Assistant Regional Director Henry Alcantara
OIC District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez
OIC Assistant District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza
Engineer Ernesto Galang (Planning and Design Section)
Engineer John Michael Ramos (Construction Section)
Engineer Norberto Santos (Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section)
Engineer Jaime Hernandez (Maintenance Section)
Engineer Benedict Matawaran (Procurement Unit)
Floralyn Simbulan (Finance and Administration Sections)
Juanito Mendoza (Finance and Administration Sections)
The private contractors are:
Alex Abelido, president, Legacy Construction Corporation
Cezarah Discaya and Pacifico Discaya, president and AMO, Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp.
Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, owner/Manager, St. Timothy Construction Corp.
Allan Quirante, owner/proprietor, QM Builders
Erni Baggao, owner/proprietor, EGB Construction Corp.
Eumir Villanueva, president, Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Inc.
Lawrence Lubiano, president, Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
Aderma Angelie Alcazar, president/CEO, Sunwest Inc.
Edgar Acosta, president, Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp.
Wilfredo Natividad, owner/general manager, Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
Romeo Miranda, president/AMO, Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
Mark Allan Arevalo, general manager, Wawao Builders
Marjorie Samidan, authorized managing officer, MG Samidan Construction
Luisito Tiqui, president, L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
Ryan Willie Uy, proprietor, Road Edge Trading & Development Services
While the ILBO is a vital tool, Remulla clarified that it will not prevent an individual from leaving the country as its purpose is to simply alert authorities of travel. Only a preventive hold departure order (PHDO), which is issued by a court, can legally prevent an individual from departing.
