The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has served show-cause orders to two of its officials in the Davao region concerning a P96.5-million flood control project that has shown negligible progress despite being reported as completed and paid for two years ago.
Secretary Vince Dizon issued the orders to DPWH-Davao Regional Director Juby Cordon and Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo Larete, demanding a written explanation under oath for the delays to the Culaman Bridge Flood Control Project in Jose Abad Santos town.
The issue was uncovered during a surprise inspection last Thursday by Dizon and former Infrastructure Adviser Benjamin Magalong. The inspection revealed the project was only three weeks into construction, contradicting reports that it was finished in 2022. The project was awarded to St. Timothy Construction Company, owned by spouses Sarah and Curlee Discaya, who are already under investigation for alleged corruption in other flood control projects.
Cordon and Larete have five days to submit their explanations. Failure to do so will be taken as a waiver of their right to be heard, and a decision will be based on the evidence on record. The officials face potential administrative charges for possible violations of public works laws and regulations.
