MANILA – The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged four flood control projects in Bulacan totaling P330 million for various deficiencies and irregularities, including substandard construction, incomplete works, and questionable payments—adding to the mounting scrutiny on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid the national P20-billion scandal. The findings, detailed in COA’s 2025 audit report released on December 18, 2025, highlight persistent issues in project implementation that left communities vulnerable to flooding despite allocated funds.
The flagged projects, all in Bulacan districts, include dike reinforcements and river dredging meant to mitigate typhoon impacts. COA cited:
- Deficient workmanship: Cracks, erosion, and poor materials in completed sections.
- Incomplete deliverables: Unfinished segments despite full or partial payments to contractors.
- Overpayments: Advances without corresponding progress.
- Lack of documentation: Missing permits or monitoring reports.
These lapses echo the broader scandal involving “ghost” dikes and kickbacks, where billions vanished into nonexistent or subpar works. Bulacan, a flood-prone province, has been a hotspot for such anomalies, with prior COA reports tagging hundreds of millions in questionable spending.
DPWH officials promised corrective actions and coordination with COA for recoveries, but critics like civil society groups demand prosecutions: “These aren’t errors—they’re theft from taxpayers who suffer the floods.”
For Bulacan’s residents enduring repeated inundations, the P330 million flags aren’t abstract—they’re stark reminders of misplaced priorities, fueling calls for zero tolerance in infrastructure spending.
Flagged Projects Snapshot:
| Project Description | Location (Bulacan) | Value (P Million) | Key Irregularities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dike Reinforcement | Various districts | ~150 | Substandard materials, cracks |
| River Dredging | Major rivers | ~100 | Incomplete works, overpayments |
| Retaining Walls | Flood-prone areas | ~50 | Missing documentation |
| Drainage Upgrades | Urban barangays | ~30 | Deficient execution |
| Total | N/A | 330 | Varied deficiencies |