Ex-Bulacan DPWH engineer admits 'negligence' over ghost project

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara admitted negligence over a ghost flood control project in the province, saying he failed to conduct checks on the ground.

“Actually po, negligence on my part. Inaamin ko po may kakulangan ako dahil I did not personally go,” Alcantara said Tuesday during a House investigation into anomalous projects. (Actually, it’s negligence on my part. I admit I lacked because I personally did not go.)

Rep. Jefferson Khonghun (Zambales) pressed him to directly acknowledge accountability.

“Again, do you believe you are responsible for that — the ghost project na sinabi ng presidente, ‘yung mga kakulangan sa materyales, kakulangan ng delivery ng supply ng materials. Do you believe you are responsible for that?” Khonghun asked.

“Yes po,” Alcantara replied.

Relief from post. The DPWH Bulacan district engineer was relieved from his post in late August. Alcantara was promoted to DPWH’s officer-in-charge of the assistant regional director in Calabarzon after serving as the engineering office of Bulacan’s 1st District since 2019. Alcantara said he has been with the DPWH since 1994.

Asked by Rep. Paolo Ortega (La Union) if his appointment as Bulacan district engineer came during Sen. Mark Villar’s tenure as secretary, Alcantara confirmed it was Villar who assigned him after he applied for the post.

During questioning by Rep. Bienvenido Abante (Manila), Alcantara also admitted blame for flood control projects labeled “completed” despite still being under construction.

This followed Rep. Joel Chua (Manila)’s presentation of a 2023 contract for a flood control project in Calumpit, which Alcantara signed as district engineer.

The project was one of the dredging sites that Marcos inspected in August and found to have been poorly constructed. Alcantara admitted to signing the certificate of completion.

“Yun pala naman eh. Dapat talaga kasuhan ka. Tama ba ko mali?” Abante asked. (If that’s right, you should face charges. Am I right or wrong?)

“Yes, your Honor,” Alcantara said.

Parallel probe. The House Committee on Infrastructure has launched its investigation into ghost and anomalous flood control projects, inviting the top contractors that cornered a fifth of the administration’s flood mitigation contracts.

A similar investigation and ongoing hearings are held at the Senate following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's State of the Nation Address and subsequent disclosure of top flood control contractors that have cornered billions worth of projects.