09 September 2025 | News by PISD
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced the temporary suspension of ongoing flood control projects in the province to further investigate their construction methods.
DPWH and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro (PGOM) will conduct a joint assessment to restore the cooperation with Local Government Units (LGUs) in implementing government projects to combat corruption.
Sec. Dizon reported that President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is forming an Independent Commission representing the independent body to thoroughly investigate individuals behind the anomalous flood control projects of DPWH.
He observed shortcomings in the implementation of flood control projects in the province after personally visiting and inspecting Barangay Tagumpay and Apitong in the municipality of Naujan along with Governor Humerlito “Bonz†A. Dolor on 9 September.
One of the project sites they visited was the nearly Php 3 billion flood control project in Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan, which is marked “completed†this year from the records of DPWH, yet its construction is still ongoing.
Based from the master plan, the sheet piles of this project should be buried 12 meters deep, but Gov. Dolor and Sec. Dizon upon personal measurement found out that the actual length of the sheet piles was only about three (3) meters deep.
In his message, Sec. Dizon expressed that after his many years in public service, this is the first time he has seen a project being undertaken without the necessary approved building permit, environmental clearance certificate, and quarrying permit
He also emphasized that there was no demolition permit for the destruction of gabion dike constructed by PGOM near the project site.
Meanwhile, another similar project in Sitio Dike, Brgy. Apitong, Naujan was still in question due to the absence of any standing structure despite the project being labelled as “completed.”
According to Sec. Dizon, former DPWH Regional Director Gerald Pacanan needs to explain this to him to uncover the whole truth behind these billion-peso projects in the province that were immediately damaged just after a few years.
Sec. Dizon ensured that his office will respond to this major issue in the country by ensuring that all involved government officials and contractors will be held accountable and a thorough investigation will be conducted to identify whether the province can continue the flood control projects of DPWH.
Governor Dolor assured that PGOM is ready to cooperate with the National Government in the investigation of this anomaly to ensure that public funds are used properly for the welfare of people.