The potential cost of anomalies in government flood control projects may run into the trillions of pesos, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon revealed on Thursday, as the Senate blue ribbon committee intensified its investigation into questionable infrastructure spending.
In a GMA News Online report, Senator Bam Aquino pressed Dizon on whether earlier estimates—tens or even hundreds of billions—could actually balloon to a trillion pesos. Dizon replied candidly: “May posibilidad po.”
Aquino emphasized the gravity of that figure, noting that just ₱3 billion would be enough to fund extended feeding programs for malnourished children. “We are talking about possibly trillions na ninakaw sa atin. So that is why this investigation is really important,” he stressed.
10-year review underway
Dizon explained that under Executive Order 94, the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is now reviewing a decade’s worth of flood control projects. Early findings already point to massive irregularities, including ghost projects and poorly built structures that were certified as completed.
Last week, charges for falsification of documents were filed against some individuals involved.
“Malaki po e,” Dizon said, referring to the scale of the corruption. “Napakarami po at tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagrereport sa amin.”
Transparency portal in the works
To boost public trust and accountability, Dizon said the DPWH will soon launch a transparency portal to publish its initial findings—possibly within one to two weeks. He compared the planned system to the President’s “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website.
He confirmed the initial batch of data will spotlight ghost and substandard projects, and assured that even government personnel involved will be named. “Pati po ‘yung mga DPWH personnel na involved ilalabas po natin,” he added.
Aquino urged the agency to act swiftly: “Mahalaga sa taong bayan na malaman nating lahat kailan ba ito mapa-publish, kailan ba ito matatapos.”
Bid rigging and criminal charges
Dizon didn’t mince words when asked if bid rigging occurred: “Absolutely, Mr. Chair.”
He said such a scheme wouldn’t have been possible if procurement procedures at the regional and district levels were conducted with integrity.
Aquino reminded everyone that under the Philippine Competition Act, violators involved in bid rigging may be fined between ₱100 million to ₱250 million per offense. He added that it’s not just about jailing the guilty—it’s about recovering the stolen funds.
Dizon agreed. “In my opinion, lahat po ng pwedeng ibatong kaso sa kanila, gawin po natin para hindi lang po mapanagot pero maibalik po ang pera.”
