Discaya-led P96-M Davao Occ. project 'completed' in 2022 started few weeks ago
MANILA, Philippines — A P96.5-million flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental was described as a "crime scene" after officials found its construction only began two to three weeks ago despite being fully paid and marked completed since 2022.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), along with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and ICI Special Adviser Benjie Magalong, conducted an on-site inspection of the concrete revetment construction project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on Thursday, September 25.
St. Timothy Construction Corp. — a firm owned by Curlee and Sarah Discaya — was awarded the contract for the project. It was marked completed and fully paid for in 2022, according to information on the Sumbong sa Pangulo website.
But residents and the barangay captain reportedly told officials who visited the project that actual construction started only recently or "2-3 weeks ago," Magalong said in brief findings sent to reporters.
"Fully paid since 2022; marked as completed. According to residents and [barangay] captain, they only started construction 2-3 weeks ago. Marked as ghost project," Magalong said.
The construction on the project — which started under the previous Duterte administration — has been ordered halted, with Magalong likening the site to a "crime scene."
A concrete revetment is a protective structure made on the bank of a body of water to prevent erosion.
These structures essentially serve to stop rivers and shorelines from being damaged by water and are among the DPWH's flood control work.
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Dizon's ultimatum
Following the discovery, the DPWH secretary issued a stern warning for all its district engineers and other officials to come clean amid the government's investigation on corruption in public works.
"Mahuhuli at mahuhuli din kayo ng ICI (you will be caught by the ICI)," Dizon said.
"To all [district engineers,] regional directors, speak up. Don't wait for it to come to this," the DPWH chief said in mixed English and Filipino.
Dizon said he was ready to lose all of the DPWH's district engineers.
"I don't care if all the DE in the Philippines runs out. Even if all the RD in the Philippines runs out... We will run you out," Dizon said.
Dizon added that officials who perform honestly would be promoted in place of those removed.
The discovery in Davao Occidental adds to the string of questionable public works the independent commission has flagged since it began site inspections, many of which were implemented under the previous Duterte administration.
The commission was created earlier this month to identify and investigate corruption in infrastructure projects.
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