The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has permanently blacklisted contracting firms Wawao Builders and SYMS Construction Trading over ghost flood control projects in Bulacan, preventing them from bidding and working on government projects. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced the lifetime ban on Thursday morning, during an inspection of a flood control project in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel.
Manila Bulletin reports that the project under inspection belonged to Wawao Builders, which declared the project complete in 2024. However, Dizon found that construction only began three weeks ago.
“Ang tawag ko rito, patay na pero pinipilit buhayin kasi nabayaran na siya e noong last year,” Dizon said. “Sabi dito ng DPWH, 100 percent completed na ito last year. Pero siguro, three weeks ago, umiinit, nag-iimbestiga na ang Senado at Kongreso, nagalit na ang pangulo, pinipilit buhayin yung patay. Wala na. Klarong-klaro ghost project ito.” Dizon also said the project cost P96 million.
Earlier this week, Dizon promised that construction firms found to have anomalous or ghost flood control projects under the DPWH would be permanently blacklisted, changing a rule that limits blacklisting to a year.
On August 20, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. inspected the SYMS Construction Trading’s flood control project in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, Bulacan, and found that no work had been done yet despite records stating the P55 million project was complete.
This comes after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee held a second hearing into the DPWH’s anomalous flood control projects on Monday, September 1, which saw representatives of construction firms and the DPWH grilled by lawmakers.
At the hearing, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva asked Wawao General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo if the construction firm had any ghost projects. Arevalo was unable to directly answer the question, instead saying, “I invoke my right [against] self-incrimination.”
Villaueva, losing his cool, said, “Pambihira ka sasagot ka ng ganyan — ghost project. Parang tinatanong ka kung tao ka, hindi mo alam kung tao ka.”
Meanwhile, SYMS Construction Trading owner Sally N. Santos failed to appear at the hearing. On Thursday, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero approved the issuance of subpoenas against Santos and other contractors, compelling them to appear in the next hearing.
