ICI: Discayas bagged most of Ilocos Norte's flood control projects

Contractors Curlee and Sara Discaya secured majority of the 150 flood control projects in Ilocos Norte, the Independent Contractor for Infrastructure (ICI) said Thursday as it made inspections in the province.

According to ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the cost of the 150 flood control projects in Ilocos Norte amounted to P9 billion.

Two such projects along the Bongo River and Sinigpit Creek in Nueva Era town were among those obtained by the Discayas.

The ICI inspected Ilocos Norte as it gathered more evidence against the 15 contractors linked to the flood control mess.

"We are inspecting lahat ng mga projects dito ng mga Discaya at 'yung 15 na contractors na pinangalanan ng ating Presidente," Azurin said.

Meanwhile, Arthur Bisnar, Public Works Undersecretary for Regional Operations in Luzon, assured that ICI will be given full access to the agency's records and flood control projects.

"Kabilinan ni (Public Works) Sec. Vince (Dizon) ay bigyan ng full access ang ICI sa investigation na isinasagawa. Ang full access na ito hindi lang sa central office, maging sa regional office natin maging sa district engineering offices," Bisnar said.

(Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon directed that the ICI be given full access to the ongoing investigation, not just at the central office but also in the regional and district engineering offices.)

The ICI had said that it would prioritize 80 of the initial 421 flood control projects under investigation for corruption.

Earlier in the day, Dizon said over 40 people allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro were expected to be jailed this November.

In Bulacan, 26 are expected to be detained, including the Discayas and former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara.

Meanwhile, 15 are expected to be jailed in Mindoro, including resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and other co-accused. — VDV, GMA Integrated News