Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
by Miriam G.Desacada
Borongan City– A ₱192-million flood-control project in a small coastal town has ignited controversy, with residents and local officials accusing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of falsely claiming the project is nearly complete despite minimal work on the ground.
This incident echoes similar controversies surrounding flood control projects .
In an open letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a group of concerned citizens described the project as a “ghost project,” questioning DPWH records that showed an 84.72% completion rate. The project was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor and Development Corp., yet construction reportedly began only recently. The group further alleged that laborers and heavy equipment assigned to Hernani were diverted to another questionable flood-control project in Llorente town.
Vice Mayor Raises Alarm
Hernani Vice Mayor Socorro De Lira Ponferrada confirmed the irregularities in a detailed social media post. She said she first grew suspicious upon learning that the project was awarded in December 2023 and issued a Notice to Proceed in April 2024.
“I went to the DPWH (Eastern Samar) District Office, and according to them, if my claim is true, the bidding was done at the regional office, given the big amount,” Ponferrada said.
She added that while she saw a backhoe deployed in Sitio Manglos, Barangay Garawon, there was hardly any progress before the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). “For the whole context, it’s only around 5% accomplished—not 84%,” she stressed.
Layers of Subcontractors
Ponferrada also disclosed that work on-site was being carried out by layers of subcontractors, who admitted they were pressured by DPWH to rush in heavy equipment. The actual owners of Amethyst Horizon, she said, were never seen in the area.
She further alleged that Amethyst Horizon is linked to the Discaya family, known for owning several large construction firms, and questioned why a politically connected company was implementing projects in far-flung Eastern Samar.
Funding and Disparities
The Hernani flood-control project, amounting to ₱192,393,616.92, is funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act and scheduled for completion in January 2025.
Despite Eastern Samar’s high vulnerability to floods and typhoons, the province was allocated only ₱714 million for flood-control projects between 2022 and 2025—far less than the ₱14.1 billion allocated to neighboring Leyte within the same period.
Calls for Investigation
Local civic groups, joined by Vice Mayor Ponferrada, are now calling for a comprehensive audit and congressional investigation. They warned that so-called ghost projects not only undermine public trust but also leave thousands of vulnerable families exposed to devastating floods.
“Flood-control is supposed to protect lives and livelihoods,” Ponferrada said. “But if public funds are being misused, then what we are left with is danger disguised as development.”
In recent months, several flood control projects have been scrutinized for substandard construction, corruption, and irregularities. For instance, a ₱100 million flood control project in Lucena, Quezon, collapsed, raising concerns about the quality of construction and potential misuse of infrastructure funds.
The DPWH has faced criticism for poor project implementation, and lawmakers are calling for accountability .ke
Key Issues
-Lack of Transparency.. The DPWH’s reporting practices have raised questions about project progress and fund utilization.
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Substandard Construction..Several projects have been criticized for poor quality, highlighting potential corruption and mismanagement.
– Calls for Accountability.. Residents, local officials, and lawmakers demand answers and action against those responsible . Miriam G.Desacada
