P151.5M Bulacan dike finished in 2024 now undergoing repairs

A dike project in Balagtas, Bulacan worth P151.5 million is undergoing repairs even though it was only finished late last year.

According to Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the flood control structure spanning more than 200 meters across barangays San Juan, Wawa and Panginay is considered the most expensive project in the province. 

Although it was declared finished in September 2024 as per the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, GMA Integrated News found that some portions of the dike are undergoing repair.  

The dike is being reinforced with gravel-filled sacks and topped with concrete. Meanwhile, truckloads of materials are continuously arriving, the report added. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to get a statement from the contractor, Wawao Builders. But calls to the mobile number posted on its company's record were not answered.

Bulacan is considered the sixth flood-prone province in the country. However, it also has the largest budget share for flood control, the report said. 

According to the findings of GMA Integrated News Research, Bulacan received P43.7 billion for 668 projects from the approximately P547 billion budget allocated for 9,855 flood control projects nationwide. 

The city of Baliwag has the highest number and total value of flood control projects in the province with P5,826,933,748.21 for 85 projects. This is despite being only the ninth most flood-prone area in Bulacan. 

Among the most expensive projects in Baliwag is the P96.49-million Riverbank Protection Structure in Barangay Sulivan that was reportedly finished in September 2024. 

But when it was visited by GMA Integrated News, a portion of the project remains unfinished. 

For the residents of Barangay Sulivan, they are clueless about the reason behind the construction of the said project even though they haven’t experienced any flooding in the past. 

“Basta dito po sa amin hindi kami binabaha,” said Aleli Ignacio, noting that she grew up in the area. 

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get a statement from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). But the Bulacan-DPWH already submitted documents on Tuesday to the Commission on Audit, which is conducting a fraud audit. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News