Taguig Flood Projects Under Probe as Dizon Denies Cover-Up
VINCE DIZON – The secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) denied allegations that he was covering up possible irregularities in flood control projects in Taguig City, saying the investigation is still ongoing.
Dizon said the DPWH would follow the evidence and take action based on the results of the investigation. He made the statement after Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that any attempt to hide irregularities in Taguig infrastructure projects could result in criminal liability.
Lacson had earlier questioned Dizon’s statement that no ghost flood control projects had been found in Taguig. He cited several issues identified during DPWH inspections, including a slope protection project along the Taguig River.
The project’s billing documents reportedly contained geotagged photos with coordinates pointing to Leyte, about 600 kilometers away from Taguig. Dizon acknowledged that the discrepancy was a major warning sign but said the finding was only preliminary and still needed to be verified.
Dizon also clarified that his earlier statement about the absence of ghost projects referred to projects that had not been confirmed as nonexistent. He said the investigation had not yet reached a final conclusion on the questioned Taguig projects.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano also criticized Dizon’s earlier statement and called for a fair investigation. He said authorities should not declare anyone guilty without enough evidence.
Cayetano also noted that incorrect coordinates do not automatically prove that a project is a ghost project. He pointed out that some DPWH records have contained inaccurate coordinates, which investigators must verify before reaching a conclusion.
Cayetano further said he had previously raised concerns about companies linked to contractor Curlee Discaya being involved in projects in Taguig.
The DPWH investigation is continuing as authorities validate the inspection findings and project records. Officials have yet to make a final determination on whether the questioned Taguig flood control projects were ghost projects or involved other irregularities.
