PUBLIC Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has issued separate show-cause orders over the ₱96.5-million Culaman Bridge Flood Control Project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental—a project that was fully paid for in 2022 but remains unfinished.
Dizon specifically ordered DPWH XI director Juby Cordon and Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo Larete to explain the project’s status. He indicated that similar show-cause orders would be issued to all officials involved in anomalous projects.
The memorandum, dated Sept. 26, was based on the on-site inspection by Dizon on Sept. 25, together with Larete, and former Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, in San Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
The inspection revealed that the ₱96.5M Culaman Bridge Flood Control Project remains unfinished, despite the full payment having been made to the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Company as early as 2022.
Moreover, based on the reports from local residents and the regional supervising office, construction activities resumed two to three weeks before the inspection, significantly later than what was reported by the DED officials.
“In view of these findings, and considering that Davao Occidental DED operates under your command authority and supervisory control as Regional Director of DPWH Region XI, you are hereby directed to submit a written explanation under oath within three (3) calendar days from receipt of this Order, why you should not be held administratively liable for possible violations of existing rules, regulations, and orders,” the order stated.
“Failure to respond within the stipulated time shall be construed as a waiver of your right to explain, and this Office shall resolve the matter based on the available records and evidence,” it added.
The Secretary confirmed that Davao Occidental is only the first of multiple investigations into possible ghost projects in Southern Mindanao.
However, he clarified that the nationwide crackdown on anomalous infrastructure projects is not solely focused on the Davao Region, despite the high-profile discovery in Davao Occidental.
“Of course not, we are focusing on the entire country,” Secretary Dizon stated when asked if there were orders to specifically target Davao City. “It’s not easy, but we got reports here [referring to Davao Occidental]. In the same way, we have reports in La Union, we have reports in Mindoro, we have reports in Eastern Samar.”
Dizon announced that charges, including malversation of public funds, graft, and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act, will be filed this week against DPWH officials and the contractor connected to the ghost project.
