Photo courtesy of PhilStar

 

In a decisive move aiming to combat corruption, Vince Dizon, Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has dismissed Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara. This comes after a scandal involving a P55 million (approximately 27 million Thai Baht) "ghost project" that failed to meet completion despite claims to the contrary.

 

The controversy unfolded after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected a riverwall project in Bulacan. To his surprise, the infrastructure was non-existent, prompting immediate scrutiny and action.

 

"Today, I'm going to announce, number one, Henry Alcantara, effective today, is dismissed," Dizon declared during a media briefing in Bulacan.

 

This event has sparked calls for accountability within government projects, particularly those relating to public infrastructure. Dizon confirmed that additional legal actions are forthcoming. "Next week, I will ask the DPWH legal team to recommend filing charges, the appropriate charges against Henry Alcantara," he elaborated.

 

Further dismissals followed, with Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez and Engineer Jaypee Mendoza also relieved of their duties, highlighting the breadth of the scandal.

 

The project, initially pegged at around P96.5 million (approximately 49 million Thai Baht), was a flood control initiative situated in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan. Local officials had prematurely marked it as complete. However, an on-site inspection revealed it was anything but finished, with equipment like backhoes still present.

 

In a bold statement, Dizon condemned the malpractice, describing it as “criminal.” He criticised those responsible, stating they were "animals," stressing the severity of betraying community trust in such a manner.

 

Alcantara, already under scrutiny, has also been part of broader Congressional probes into questionable flood control projects. During a House investigation, he admitted negligence, confessing he had not personally inspected project sites before approving their completion status. This revelation has intensified scrutiny on other purportedly complete projects under his oversight.

 

The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring transparency and integrity in public works. It also reflects a broader governmental push to uphold project standards and demand accountability from officials.

 

This scandal raises significant concerns about governance and the effectiveness of systems meant to safeguard against such fraud. It stands as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous oversight and personal accountability in state-funded initiatives.

 

As the nation watches, the DPWH's subsequent actions and reforms will likely play a crucial role in restoring public confidence. For now, the dismissal of Alcantara and his colleagues marks a significant, albeit preliminary, step towards rectifying a troubling situation in Bulacan’s development landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-09-04

 

 

This is a tip of an iceberg, I keep hearing from Filipino friends about how widespread this type of corruption is.  And it's so very easy to catch too!  So brazen.