The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has directed two of its officials to justify the questionable status of a flood control project in Davao Occidental that already received full payment despite being incomplete, according to a report from GMA News Online.
In separate show-cause orders dated September 26, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon required Region XI Director Juby Cordon and district engineer Rodrigo Larete to explain why the Culaman Bridge Flood Control Project in Jose Abad Santos town remains unfinished, even though records indicate it was completed and paid to St. Timothy Construction Company as early as 2022.
Dizon revealed that reports from local residents and the barangay chairperson showed construction only began two to three weeks before the September 25 site inspection. That visit was conducted by Dizon himself along with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who previously served as an independent adviser for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
The DPWH chief stressed that Cordon and Larete have five days from receipt of the order to explain why they should not be held administratively liable for possible violations of laws, regulations, and orders.
