Bulacan flood projects worth P325 million flagged for irregularities
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has formally submitted four Fraud Audit Reports (FARs) to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), uncovering widespread irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan valued at over P325 million.
The reports, dated January 16 and submitted to the ICI, reveal a systematic pattern of misuse of public funds within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
The audited projects were awarded to private contractors Wawao Builders and Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading.
Through a combination of physical site visits, drone monitoring, geotagged imagery, and historical satellite data, state auditors revealed that multiple flood control projects were either entirely missing from their sanctioned locations, moved without proper authorization, or involved billing for infrastructure that existed prior to the start of the contracts.
Furthermore, the fraud audit reports highlighted critical missing documentation, noting the absence of essential records such as as-built plans, detailed cost estimates, geotechnical data, and comprehensive reports on completed work.
COA’s findings. According to the COA, the audit covers projects from July 1, 2022, to May 30, 2025.
The following are the projects flagged by state auditors, totaling P325 million:
-
Guiguinto Project (P96.5 million)
Contractor: Wawao Builders
Irregularities: The riverbank protection structure was not built at the site specified in the engineering plans. It was relocated without authorization, and the final structure was shorter than required with altered designs. -
Hagonoy Project (P77.2 million)
Contractor: Wawao Builders
Irregularities: Despite being declared 100% complete, no structure exists at the designated site. DPWH officials pointed to a structure nearly 700 meters away that had no legal documentation for relocation, making all payments potentially invalid. -
Calumpit Project (P77.2 million)
Contractor: Wawao Builders
Irregularities: Auditors found a structure with a completely different contract ID and measurements that did not match the bid plans. The work was performed outside the approved location, rendering the 100% completion claim questionable. -
Malolos City Project (P74.1 million)
Contractor: Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading
Irregularities: No new structure was built at the site. Satellite imagery revealed that the structure identified by officials actually existed a year before the contract began. Additionally, the contractor submitted photos with fake or inconsistent GPS coordinates.
The following individuals are to be accountable for the said projects, according to COA:
- Brice Ericson D. Hernandez
- Darcy Kimel D. Respecio (of Darcy and Anna Builders & Trading)
- Ericka Justine P. Chico
- Ernesto Galang
- Henry Alcantara
- Isiah Lor Galang
- Jaypee Mendoza
- John Michael Ramos
- Jolo Mari Tayao
- Lemuel Ephraim Roque
- Mark Allan Arevalo (of Wawao Builders)
- Paul Jayson Duya
- Sheena Bernadette Morales
Possible charges. According to state auditors, the individuals allegedly involved may face charges for graft and corruption under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as for malversation, and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code.
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