Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio Dizon has issued a direct order to newly-appointed officials in Bulacan: complete all gaps in unfinished dike projects across the province. The instruction came during an inspection of a critical flood control project in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan, on December 19, 2025.
A Direct Order and a Stern Warning
Secretary Dizon led the officials from the DPWH-Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO) to the exact site along the Pampanga River that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. inspected in July 2025. That surprise presidential visit followed massive flooding from Typhoon Crising, where it was discovered that unfinished projects had been falsely declared complete.
During the inspection, Dizon delivered a stern warning to the new appointees. He explicitly cautioned them against giving in to temptations or repeating the anomalous practices of their predecessors. The secretary emphasized the critical need to uphold integrity in all aspects of public service, especially in projects vital to public safety.
Ground Zero of a National Scandal
The dike project in Barangay Bulusan holds national significance. It was the first officially identified 'ghost' flood control project uncovered in the past three years. This discovery by President Marcos prompted the national government to launch a nationwide investigation into all flood control projects supposedly built across the Philippines.
Given its history, Secretary Dizon declared that completing this specific dike should be prioritized above all other flood control projects in Bulacan. He assured the team that funding for the completion of the dike projects is secured and will be sourced from the agency's savings under the 2025 national budget.
Moving Forward with Integrity
The directive marks a clear effort by the DPWH leadership to rectify past failures and ensure the delivery of essential infrastructure. By tasking the new officials with this critical mandate and providing the necessary financial support, the agency aims to restore public trust. The completion of these dikes is crucial for the flood-prone province of Bulacan, particularly for communities along the Pampanga River basin that have repeatedly suffered from inundation.
The eyes of the nation, especially Bulakeños, will be on the progress of these projects as the DPWH works to turn the page on a scandal that exposed grave lapses in governance and project implementation.
