Dizon flags 'faulty design' in Paombong, Bulacan flood project

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Saturday flagged the “faulty design” of a coastal dike in Paombong, Bulacan, saying the structure has failed to protect residents from flooding during high tides.

In a “24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday, Dizon said the dike’s design was no longer suitable or effective.

Instead of mitigating flooding in Barangays Masukol and Sta. Cruz, Dizon said the structure has been damaged by waves, leaving residents vulnerable to recurring floods.

Dizon also identified the coastal dike as one of the allegedly anomalous flood-control projects currently under investigation by authorities.

Repairs to the project are expected to begin soon, according to the DPWH chief.

Dizon inspected the project with Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos and Paombong Mayor Mac Marco.

‘Express your frustrations’

In a social media update by GMA News reporter Bea Pinlac, Dizon said the public should be allowed to express their frustrations toward the agency, adding that what matters is that officials hear their complaints.

“Murahin ninyo po kami sa YouTube, okay lang. Ang importante ho, naririnig namin ang hinaing ninyo, ang daing ninyo,” Dizon said at the office of the Hagonoy, Bulacan local government.

(Curse at us on YouTube; it’s okay. What’s important is that we hear your concerns and grievances.)

“... Paulit-ulit na natatanong ako, ‘Okay lang ba na nagagalit ang taumbayan sa DPWH?’ Sabi ko, oo, okay lang. Eh dapat naman talagang magalit eh,” he added.

(People repeatedly ask me, ‘Is it okay that the public is angry at the DPWH?’ I say yes, it’s okay. In fact, they have every right to be angry.)

Recalling their on-site inspection of the coastal dike in Paombong, Dizon reiterated the DPWH’s commitment to repairing the structure to prevent seawater from Manila Bay from flooding nearby coastal communities.

Dizon also expressed frustration over the discovery of five supposed pumping stations in Bulacan that he said did not actually exist.

“Nakakagalit po talaga kapag naririnig ko ‘yung mga istorya. Halimbawa po ‘yung mga pumping station. Meron pong limang pumping station… na ‘ginawa’ dito. Ginawa, quote-unquote, kasi wala naman talagang ginawa,” Dizon said.

(It’s truly infuriating whenever I hear these stories. Take the pumping stations, for example. There were supposedly five pumping stations that were ‘built’ here. Built, quote-unquote, because nothing was actually built.)

He said there were not even plans for the pumping stations when he asked to see them.

“Pero nung tinanong ko po, ni plano wala… Paano ka naman gagastos ng daan-daang milyon, aabutin pa ng bilyon, ni plano wala? So talaga pong ginawa lang po nila ’yon para kumita at para magnakaw. ’Yun po ang masakit at nakakagalit po talaga,” Dizon added.

(But when I asked about them, there weren’t even plans. How can you spend hundreds of millions, reaching billions, without even a plan? So they really just did that to make money and steal. That is what is painful and truly infuriating.)

Dizon said the DPWH’s coordination with the new Bulacan 1st District Engineer had uncovered more cases involving allegedly anomalous flood control projects.

“Nakita ninyo naman po ’yung mga loko-loko ay nakakulong na ngayon, lalo na ’yung si Brice Hernandez, si [Jaypee] Mendoza, lahat ho ’yan ay nakakulong na ngayon,” Dizon said.

(You’ve seen that those involved are in jail now, especially Brice Hernandez and [Jaypee] Mendoza. All of them are now behind bars.)

“At marami pa pong ibang mga kasong parating dahil po sa ginagawang paglilinis… ng ating bagong district engineer na si DE Kenneth [Fernando] at ’yung bagong regional director natin na si Arnold Ocampo,” he added.

(And many more cases are coming as a result of the ongoing cleanup being carried out by our new district engineer, DE Kenneth [Fernando], and our new regional director, Arnold Ocampo.)

Bulacan 1st District Engineer Kenneth Fernando replaced Henry Alcantara, who has been linked to the flood control scandal. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News