The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is moving to fast-track delayed infrastructure projects on Siargao Island after an inspection revealed significant discrepancies between reported and actual progress.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally visited the island to assess ongoing construction and the condition of infrastructure nationwide, the agency said Wednesday.
The inspection uncovered unfinished bridges in Pilar town that had been officially declared complete in 2022.
“The Maasin and Asinan bridges, started in 2021 and declared completed last year, are still not finished,” the DPWH said.
Furthermore, a flood control project in Barangay Tuburan, Del Carmen, reported to be 95 percent complete, was found to be only about 35 percent finished and the agency described these gaps as “unacceptable” and is pressing the contractor to accelerate work.
The DPWH is also investigating the causes of the delays and the contractor involved, who reportedly has ties to Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco Matugas. The department stressed that accountability will be enforced to prevent further setbacks.
With the flood control scandal still under investigation, Dizon assured that authorities will issue arrest warrants against those involved and recover stolen assets.
Dizon vowed that action on these cases will move faster than in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam involving Janet Lim-Napoles as he cited that cases against individuals linked to “ghost” and substandard flood control projects have already been filed with the Sandiganbayan.