Bonoan hints DPWH 'cleansing' amid flood projects probe

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Saturday hinted at a possible "cleansing" in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to rid itself of erring officials and personnel as the agency continues to receive scrutiny over alleged anomalous flood control projects.

During an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Bonoan said the DPWH is now looking into department officials and district engineers who were involved in subpar and "ghost" flood control projects.

"Titingnan namin kung sino 'yung mga kasangkot dito sa paggawa ng mga inferior at saka ghost projects (We will look into the personalities involved in the inferior and ghost projects), the DPWH chief said, adding that, "I think we'll have to file all the necessary cases, sanctions din and let it be a lesson to everybody that we will not allow this kind of thing to happen."

"I think we have to cleanse up actually the organization kung kailangan (if needed)," he said.

The DPWH chief said the agency's ongoing audit of flood projects, "for the time being," found that "ghost" projects are in Bulacan, particularly in the province's Engineering District 1.

In an interview with GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong, Bonoan confirmed that Bulacan District 1 Engineer Henry Alcantara is now on "floating status" as the DPWH awaits his explanation.

"And if unsatisfactory ang nakita namin doon, we have to impose other sanctions," Bonoan said in his interview with GMA Integrated News.

(And if we find something unsatisfactory there, we have to impose other sanctions.)

When he faced the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on "ghost" flood control projects, Bonoan said one contractor had 85 projects worth P5.971 billion in Bulacan's first engineering district.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has been inspecting flood control projects after calling out government personnel who steal public funds, including those for such projects, during his fourth State of the Nation Address.

Marcos recently admitted getting "very angry" with alleged anomalous flood projects in Bulacan.

Several senators have raised questions about Bonoan's leadership at the DPWH amid the ongoing controversy, including Senator Sherwin Gatchalian who said the secretary should resign "out of delicadeza."

Last Wednesday, Bonoan said it was up to the President if he needs to take a leave amid the ongoing probe.

Manageable

Also during his interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, the Public Works chief still expressed confidence in the integrity of the personnel in his agency.

"Kayang i-manage (It can be managed)," Bonoan said, referring to the fight against corruption in the DPWH. 

"I think, 'yung mga tao namin are very professional naman. Professional ang mga tao namin dito," he said.

(I think our people here are very professional. They are professional.)

He claimed that "there are circumstances that may probably influence their behaviors actually na nangyayari dito."

(There are circumstances that may probably influence their behaviors that happen here.)

"There are external influences. I can understand the pressures," he said.

"Sabi ko nga, I think, kung kayo sabi ko nape-pressure kayo by somebody, let me know and I will take care of it. Let me know," he added.

(As I said to them, I think, if you are being pressured by somebody, let me know and I will take care of it. Let me know.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News