State Witness Alcantara Implicated in New 'Ghost' Flood Control Projects in Bulacan
State witness Henry Alcantara, a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan District Engineer, has been implicated in a new set of ghost flood control projects in Bulacan. This development follows the release of fraud audit reports by the Commission on Audit (COA) to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which were made public this Tuesday.
COA Audit Uncovers P325 Million in Irregularities
The COA reports reveal that the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office implemented all the ghost flood control projects, which misappropriated a total of P325 million in public funds. State auditors found repeated indications of systematic misuse of government funds and widespread irregularities in their examination of the projects.
The ghost projects were transferred to unapproved locations, violating procurement and contract rules. Additionally, several crucial documents are missing, including construction plans, detailed cost breakdowns, geotechnical investigation reports, complete statements of completed projects, and approved master plans.
Recommendations for Criminal Cases
In response to these findings, COA has recommended the filing of criminal cases against Alcantara and other former engineers and contractors of DPWH. This recommendation underscores the severity of the alleged misconduct and the need for accountability in public infrastructure projects.
It is worth noting that on January 15, Alcantara was admitted as one of four state witnesses in a case related to a flood control anomaly. This latest implication adds a new layer to the ongoing investigation, highlighting potential deeper issues within the department's operations in Bulacan.
The audit findings raise concerns about the integrity of flood control initiatives in the region, which are critical for public safety and disaster preparedness. The missing documents and procedural violations suggest a need for stricter oversight and transparency in future projects to prevent similar occurrences.
