In Photo: R. A. Pahati Construction & Supply Company started reconstructing the ₱86.5 -million flood control project following DPWH Sec. Vinzons warning he will haul everyone involved in anomalous construction to Court. The project was earlier reported as completed with a rating of “Very Satisfactory”.
- Saug project substandard but rated “very satisfactory”
By Oliver Autor
Asuncion, Davao del Norte – The series of expose’ in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has prompted contractors and the Department of Public Works and Highways to move either to build what were suspected to be ghost or repair substandard flood control projects.
Earlier, the newly installed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon Dizon issued a stern warning to contractors involved in “ghost projects,” stressing that he would go after them and hold them accountable adding that they will face cases in courts and the Ombudsman.
Fearing the consequence of their caper, Wawao Builders hurried tried to construct the ₱96.5- million flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan. Secretary Dizon who personally inspected the “ghost” project however was not impressed. “Pinipilit buhayin yong patay.” (They’re trying to revive the dead”.
It turned out that the contract was issued in March 2024 with a duration of 270 days. Dizon bared that Wawao Builders was paid in July 2024 after it was reported to have been 100% completed.
Secretary Dizon proceeded to dismiss on the spot
Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara, Chief of the Construction Section Jaypee Mendoza, and Assistant District Engineer Brice Fernandez.
Dizon also announced that he will not stop, and we will find all of the culprits involved in the multi-billion ghost and substandard flood control projects. “We will also do to others what we did to the DE, assistant DE, engineer in the DPWH, and contractors,” he declared.
The warning of DPWH Secretary Dizon caused jitters among the big ticket contractors who were recipients of flood control awards. In Asuncion, Davao del Norte R. A. Pahati Construction and Supply Company had recently mobilized equipment to construct what the District Engineer described the eroded portion of the ₱86.5-million flood control project in Barangay Cambanogoy, Asuncion.
The project was reported to have been completed, submitted and inspected with a final rating of 95.98% and a Qualitative Description “Very Satisfactory”. When asked where the river revetment was, the DPWH personnel claimed that it was done and that it is existing. However, the project they were referring to was actually that of Legacy Construction which according to Asuncion Mayor Eufracio Dayaday and the municipal engineer was constructed during the term of President Duterte.
During the interview the DPWH personnel were stunned and later said that they cannot give accurate details since the district incharge Engr. Glen Dayrit was on leave.
On the part of R. A. Pahati, its supervising engineer claimed that the project design and specification were submitted to them by DPWH as such the construction was based on the same specs. For which reason, he added, the substandard revetment structure collapsed under extreme force of flood water.
Last week, the Mindanao Journal team revisited the site where the Pahati project was. This time a portion of the 400-meter revetment is undergoing major repairs with some engineering equipments in operation. The supervising engineer, who introduce himself as Marvin, explained that the problem was with the design of the project given to them by DPWH which has only one- layer slope. Compared to the revetment structures done by Legacy Builders the slopes had three layers.
In a separate interview with District Engineer Dayrit who had reported back to office, said that the ongoing repair is of no cost to the government as it is still within the warranty period.
R.A. Pahati Construction and Supply Company is owned owned by Davao de Oro District 2 Representative Leonel Domo-ong “Jhong” Ceniza’s parents-in-Law. The congressman and his wife Jella Pahati Ceniza are among the firm’s incorporators. The company cornered a total of ₱1.4-billion worth of flood control projects for the period of 2022 to 2025 based on data reported by then Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Rodante Marcoleta.
Earlier Congressman Ceniza claimed that the firm Pahati was not involved in any ghost project in the government, no substandard projects, and no negative findings from the Commission on Audit (COA). He also said that the negative reports were recycled by his political adversaries.
