Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered regional officials and district engineers in Bicol to fast-track the termination of all contracts tied to companies linked to former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya.

Co and the Discayas are currently facing corruption complaints over alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects nationwide.

Dizon said the situation in Bicol is especially worrying because several projects there were awarded to Co-linked firms like Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction. Many of these projects are reportedly delayed or possibly defective.

“We know that Sunwest and Hi-Tone can no longer bid on contracts because of the pending cases. Their accounts are frozen. These contracts must be terminated,” Dizon said.

He added that ending these contracts quickly will allow the DPWH to re-bid the projects to new firms that can complete or fix them.

“This is going to be a boring year because thousands of contracts are involved. But we have to bid them out, find new contractors, and get the projects finished,” he said.

Among the stalled projects Dizon inspected was the multimillion-peso Malabog Flyover in Daraga, Albay. Less than a kilometer long, it has been under construction since 2021. The flyover is meant to serve as an alternate route for motorists leaving Bicol International Airport and to ease congestion along the Maharlika Highway.

Records show the first two phases were awarded to Hi-Tone Construction, while the third phase went to Discaya-owned Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp.

“If they really wanted this completed, it shouldn’t have been split into phases. Obviously, the project has been abandoned,” Dizon said.

He assured the public that the contractors involved will face accountability.

“All of this comes with accountability. There will be criminal complaints, but at the same time, we can’t lose sight of the fact that the project needs to be completed — it’s already been five years,” he said.

Dizon said the DPWH aims to finish the flyover by mid-2027.