Camarines Sur lawmaker faces raps over flood control projects

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker from Camarines Sur as well as officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private contractor companies are facing graft and corruption complaints for the collapse of two flood control projects in the province.

Named in the complaint were Camarines Sur 4th District Rep. Arnulf Bryan Fuentebella, DPWH 4th district engineer Gemma Timbang, her predecessor Nestor Gorimbao, as well as officials of the A.C. Rivero Dev. Corp. and Partido Construction and Supply.

In the complaint filed before the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon on April 13 and furnished to the media only yesterday, taxpayer Romeo Penilla alleged that the 60-meter flood control structure along Sagñay River collapsed while the entire 743-meter seawall stretch in Garchitorena town was washed out “despite being both fully paid and reported as completed.”

Penilla claimed that several deficiencies were found in the Sagñay River project, including the “absence of precast concrete piles and steel sheet piles, structural base failure, scouring, cracks (and) swelling.”

The defective seawall in Garchitorena “indicated poor quality of concrete (and) absence of rigid or stable foundation works,” Penilla added, noting that the destruction of the seawall affected 34 households.

Penilla said the two projects were funded under the General Appropriations Act through the office of Fuentebella.

The Sagñay River flood control structure was funded with P37.2 million while the seawall from Barangays 1 to 4 in Garchitorena had a price tag of over P46.9 million.

Penilla asked the ombudsman to probe Fuentebella and the other respondents for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) and malversation of public funds.

Aside from criminal charges, Penilla wants Fuentebella, Timbang and Gorimbao held liable for gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.