New fraud reports hit DPWH Bulacan office

Charges are piling up against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office after the Commission on Audit (COA) filed four new Fraud Audit Reports with the Office of the Ombudsman over flood control projects worth more than P275 million.

The COA report, released Friday, covered projects awarded to SYMS Construction Trading and Wawao Builders. 

Auditors found no structures at some approved project sites despite official reports declaring them complete. 

Some projects were relocated without authorization, and satellite imagery showed certain structures existed before contract start dates. Key documents—including as-built plans, cost breakdowns, Statements of Work Accomplished, and approved master plans—were also missing.

In Hagonoy, Bulacan, SYMS Construction Trading’s reinforced concrete flood control project costing P67.5 million was reported as 100 percent complete, but COA found no structure. 

Individuals found liable include Henry C. Alcantara, Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Ernesto C. Galang, John Michael E. Ramos, Paul Jayson F. Duya, Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Juanito C. Mendoza, Floralyn Y. Simbulan, and Sally N. Santos.

In Pandi, Bulacan, SYMS’s riverbank protection project, costing P39.6 million, was built at a different location from the approved plan, with missing documents. 

Liable parties include Alcantara, Hernandez, Galang, Jaypee D. Mendoza, Niño Lawrence V. Morales, Joshua Blitz S. Roxas, Michelle C. Cruz, Irene D.C. Ontingco, and Santos.

Wawao Builders’ riverbank protection project in Baliuag, Bulacan, costing P72.4 million, was constructed at a different site, with photos submitted before the project started and overlapping another contract. 

Individuals found liable include Alcantara, Hernandez, Galang, Mendoza, Ramos, Jefferson S. Buendia, Prince Earl De Ocampo, Ontingco, Vincente G. Calderon Jr., and Mark Allan V. Arevalo.

In Plaridel, Bulacan, Wawao Builders’ flood control project along the Angat River, costing P96.5 million, was found to already exist before the contract started, was reported completed in 65 days, and lacked supporting documents. 

Liable parties include Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, Galang, Tayao, Duya, Arjay S. Domasig, Sheena Bernadette B. Morales, and Arevalo.

COA said those involved may face charges for graft, malversation, and falsification of documents under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code.