The Commission on Audit (CoA) on Wednesday found several other flood control projects in Bulacan amounting to P344 million to be either non-existent or constructed at mismatched sites.

According to its audit report submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the four projects were implemented by the Bulacan First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and may be subject to fraud, falsification, and lack of accountability.

The projects involve riverbank protection structures implemented by various construction firms. The P74-million project in Baliuag, awarded to SYMS Construction Trading, was found to be non-existent, while the P96.5-million project by M3 Kontrast Corporation already showed multiple defects.

The Elite General Contractor & Development Corporation’s P96.5-million project in Balagtas was found to be split into two sections, contrary to the approved plan that required a single continuous structure.

Meanwhile, the Malolos project awarded to Waowao Builders, which amounted to P77 million, spanned only 55 meters—significantly shorter than the approved 148.8 meters.

CoA stated that all four projects exhibited similar irregularities and noted that several approved locations already had existing structures separate from the newly awarded projects.

“One case involved an existing riverbank structure evident just 22 days after the project was awarded, and another site contained existing structures with defects and cracks,” CoA stated.

Auditors said the DPWH–Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office failed to provide critical supporting documents, and in the case of SYMS, the office did not submit any key project documents.

According to CoA, the individuals allegedly involved may face charges for graft and corruption, as well as malversation and falsification of documents.

Those found liable include DPWH officials, engineers, and representatives of the companies involved:

• Former DPWH Engineer Henry Alcantara

• Former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez

• Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto Galang

• Construction Section Chief Jaypee Mendoza

• Engineers John Michael Ramos, Ronalie Pagtalunan, Prince Earl Deocampo, Irene Ontingco, Jefferson Buendia

• Sally Santos (SYMS Construction Trading)

• Louis Raphael DG. Tiqui and M3 Konstract Corporation officers and board members

• Maintenance Section OIC Jaime Hernandez

• Quality Assurance Section Chief Norberto Santos

• Engineers Michelle Cruz and Jasmine Jean Gonzaga

• Maritoni Melgarito and Elite General Contractor & Development Corporation officers and board members

• Engineers Jolo Marl Tayao, Paul Jayson Duya, and Lemuel Ephraim SD. Roque

• Mark Allan Arevalo (Waowao Builders)