By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has asked the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of National Defense (DND) in its investigation into anomalous flood control projects nationwide.
The request for assistance was contained in separate letters addressed to DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla and DND Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Dated Sept. 11 and released to the media on Monday, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon particularly requested assistance from the police and military to validate the “actual status and integrity” of the flood control projects being investigated.
“Pursuant to the directive of His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to investigate and hold accountable government personnel involved in alleged anomalies, and in light of the ongoing issues concerning the Department of Public Works and Highways flood control projects nationwide, we deem it imperative to immediately conduct thorough validation on the ground to establish the actual status and integrity of these [flood control] projects,” Dizon wrote.
Dizon said assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “is vital to uphold accountability, restore public trust, and safeguard the interests of our people.”
The PNP is under the DILG, while the AFP is under the DND.
During his visit to flood control sites in Bulacan in August, the President himself saw projects that used substandard materials or were non-existent at all.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have ongoing investigations, while the President formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure for a deeper probe into fund misuse.
Baguio district engineer charged over non-cooperation in probe
The DPWH has also filed an administrative complaint against the district engineer of Baguio City for allegedly refusing to cooperate in the ongoing investigation into flood control projects.
In a two-page order issued Monday, Dizon said Baguio City District Engineer Rene Zarate “refused to cooperate” with the ICI—slapping him with a 30-day preventive suspension.
“This Office finds that a prima facie case exists against respondent Rene F. Zarate for Gross Neglect of Duty, Conduct Prejudicial to Best Interest of Service, Gross Insubordination, and Violation of Reasonable Office Rules and Regulations under Section 63(A)(1)(h), (2X(a), (f) and (C)(15), respectively, of the 2025 RACCS (Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service),” the order read.
“Further, pursuant to Section 34 of the 2025 RACCS, and in view of the gravity of the offenses charged, the Respondent is hereby placed, under preventive suspension for a period of thirty (30) days, effective upon receipt hereof,” it added.
Zarate has been given three days to answer the charges.
“Should he fail to submit his answer within the period herein prescribed, the Respondent shall be considered to have waived his rights to submit the same and the case shall be decided based on available records, as provided under Section 31, Rule 6 of the 2025 RACCS,” the order said.
