Dike in La Union used 'fake tubes' — DPWH chief Dizon

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said Tuesday fake tubes were among the materials used in a dike in Bauang, La Union.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Dizon said that based on initial talks with engineers, the tubes are supposed to be outlets for water in case of flooding. 

“Itong mga tubong ito, dapat tagusan ito. Para kapag tumaas ‘yung tubig, meron lalabasan ‘yung tubig at hindi masyadong ma-kompromiso ‘yung dike natin dito,” the secretary said.

(These pipes should be passable. So that when the water rises, it will have an outlet and our dike here will not be too compromised.)

“Ang problema, peke po itong mga tubong ito kasi hindi po sila tagusan. Linagay lang, parang tinapal lang, pero putol,” Dizon added.

(The problem is, these pipes are fake because they are not passable. They were just placed there, like they were patched in, but cut off.)

Meanwhile, he said that the contractor on record is Silverwolves Construction.

Records also show that the project is estimated at roughly P180 million, subject to verification, according to Dizon.

Dizon and Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong inspected the project in Bauang.

According to GMA Regional TV, based on the information given to Dizon, the project was declared complete in May 2025. 

He said they will visit another flood control project in the area.

“Hindi pa ho. Hindi ho muna kami nagpatawag ng engineer. Kami muna ni Mayor Benjie ang nandito ngayon. Pero later on ipapatawag ko na ho ang district engineer at saka ang regional director dito,” he said.

(Not yet. We haven’t called for an engineer first. It’s just me and Mayor Benjie here right now. But later on, I will be calling the district engineer and the regional director here.)

“Pagpapaliwanagin natin,” he added.   

(We will make them explain.)

Second batch of cases

Meanwhile, Dizon said that the DPWH is preparing for the second batch of cases to be filed over substandard flood control projects.

He said the list of respondents are still being finalized. 

“Pero since nabuo na po itong ating ICI, nakikipag ugnayan na po kami sa kanila… Ipapasa na po namin itong aming mga complaints at ebidensya doon sa second batch concerning Oriental Mindoro sa ICI,” he said.

(But since our ICI has already been formed, we are now coordinating with them… We will forward our complaints and evidence to them regarding the second batch concerning Oriental Mindoro to the ICI.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News