A Notice of Violation was issued against five road projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Antique District Engineering Office in Laua-an, Antique.
This is based on a document of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 6 that GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas got from Amlig Antique Alliance, an environmental conservation organization.
According to the Notice of Violation issued by the DENR that on October 22, 2025, the five projects worth over P636 million have no Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The projects that span over two kilometers should have secured an ECC before the construction, according to EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2014-005.
Two of the said projects were said to be completed in 2022 and 2023.
The contractor of the project is identified as Sunwest Corporation owned reportedly by Zaldy Co, former Ako Bicol Partylist representative.
The DENR has already cancelled the ECC and Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) of Panay East-West Lateral Board Project of DPWH 6 at the Central Panay Mountain Range in Valderrama, Antique and Lambunao, Iloilo. This is because of an incorrect declaration of the length of the road.
According to an official of the agency who refused an on-camera interview, the unfinished projects have been ordered stopped, until the requisites would be complied. The district engineer of DPWH Antique District Engineering Office also declined an interview because of a gag order of the Central Office.
Neither has Engr. Jose Al Fruto, DPWH 6 regional director (officer in charge), answered the calls and messages of the news team.
The issuance is considered by the environmental conservation group as a victory.
“Bakit nag-proceed ito without ECC? At isa pa itong Laua-an to Tapaz road, may mga Indigenous People na Ilaynon-Bukidnon na communities dyan. Pati ang bundok nakalbo na. Ang bundok, ang mga lupa… pumunta at tinambakan ang mga sapa,” said Atty. Rolly Pedrina, chairman of Amlig Antique Alliance.
The group has also urged the Office of the Ombudsman, Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assess the potential of administrative and criminal liability of individuals behind the anomalous projects.
“Hoping na ang ating Sangguniang Panlalawigan, mag-conduct pa sila ng further investigation in aid of legislation at sila rin ang magparating sa ICI na kung maaari imbestigahan ang mga proyekto at hindi lang ang flood control projects sa Antique,” Pedrina added.
