Is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) facing issues related to fund management or potential conflicts of interest in awarding contracts? What steps is the DPWH taking to address public concerns and improve transparency in their projects? How are they ensuring the quality and safety of their infrastructure?
Recent news reports and social media posts indicate that DPWH Region 3 in particular is under scrutiny due to significant issues with a flood control project.
The over P91 million project in Barangay Candating, Arayat, Pampanga, has encountered structural problems. The DPWH assessment notes that a section of the project’s sheet piles, intended to protect the Pampanga River’s eroded bank, collapsed after soil saturation from continuous rains.
This collapse led to the evacuation of over 20 families, as the ground subsided and the sheet piles were displaced. The project, initiated in March 2024 and scheduled for completion by November 2024, is now under pressure. Local officials, including former Pampanga Mayors League President and former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, and former Arayat Vice Mayor Sixto Mallari, have raised concerns about the project’s integrity in live interviews over DZMM and press conference.
For tranparency purposes, they recommend extracting the sheet piles to establish that any modifications did not impair their load-bearing capacity or structural stability, thus ruling out their role in the collapse. “Bakit hindi bunutin ng DPWH ang mga sheet piles para ipakita sa taong-bayan na hindi totoong pinutol or maikli ang mga nilagay ng kontraktor para lang kumita ng malaki?” Pelayo and Mallari urged.
Residents and local officials as well are calling for a comprehensive investigation into the issues surrounding the compromised structures. Should the investigation reveal significant problems, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga is urged to lead the effort in recommending corrective measures to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit (COA), and anti-graft agencies. This will ensure that necessary actions are taken to address the issues, uphold public safety, and prevent future occurrences.
The situation is further compounded by the weather conditions. The Philippines is expected to experience several more typhoons this year, with an average of around 20 typhoons hitting the country annually. This increased frequency of severe weather events highlights the urgency of ensuring that flood control projects are built to withstand such challenges.
In light of these pressing issues, I was approached by a group of concerned DPWH employees who shared their significant frustrations with the current state of affairs. These employees, who are active members of the labor union, detailed their difficulties in upholding the agency’s standards amidst pervasive allegations of corruption and mismanagement. They expressed how the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds and the awarding of contracts to lawmakers’ construction companies have led to substandard work and compromised project outcomes. These challenges have not only affected the quality of public infrastructure but also eroded the morale and integrity of the workforce.
The challenges faced by the DPWH highlight broader systemic issues rather than isolated incidents of wrongdoing. When public officials wield significant influence over contract awards, it can create conflicts of interest that compromise the quality and safety of infrastructure projects.
The public sees crumbling roads and failed infrastructures and rightly demands accountability. Yet, the fingers point not at the true perpetrators but at the DPWH, who are left to shoulder the blame for decisions made beyond their control.
Adding to this burden is the wave of reports that expose substandard projects, further tainting their reputation. Articles in major dailies and online news outlets reveal that many of these flawed projects were awarded to construction companies owned by public officials. The overwhelming frustration with these failures unjustly falls on the DPWH, even though they are not responsible for the decisions made by those in power.
Worse, the pain extends to their families. Their loved ones bear the brunt of their profession’s tarnished reputation, facing ridicule and bullying in schools for issues they did not cause. It is heartbreaking to see the shame in their eyes, knowing that they suffer for the sins of others.
Public officials exert disproportionate influence over appointments, promotions, and forced retirements, leaving officials’ careers precariously dependent on their whims. Even retirement benefits, intended to support them in their later years, are often withheld due to baseless or politically motivated cases. This not only threatens their financial stability but also undermines our trust in the system.
One particularly alarming case involves a senior elected official, currently holding a powerful position, rumored to be eyeing the top Cabinet post within the DPWH. This official, also a contractor, is allegedly cornering major infrastructure contracts. The prospect of such a figure leading the agency is deeply demoralizing.
These valid issues should be addressed through thorough investigations and improvements in transparency and accountability. It is crucial for national and local leaders to address these issues to restore trust in the DPWH.