Introduction
In a significant development regarding alleged irregularities in flood control projects, the Commission on Audit (COA) has submitted four fraud audit reports related to the Bulacan flood control initiatives to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on September 26, 2025. These reports highlight serious issues involving former and current personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and various private contractors.
Allegations of Fraud and Irregularities
The audits, focusing on projects including riverbank dikes and slope protection structures in Pulilan, Plaridel, and Bocaue, have raised questions about the legitimacy of these initiatives. Key contractors involved include SYMS Construction Trading and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Incorporated, with allegations pointing to criminal liability for numerous individuals within DPWH.
Specific Findings on SYMS Construction
One of the projects associated with SYMS Construction, featuring a P92.88 million flood control structure along the Angat River in Barangay Santo Cristo and Barangay Taal, has come under scrutiny. During an inspection on September 16, 2025, the COA team discovered that the project site did not match the approved location. Despite inquiries, DPWH representatives failed to justify the discrepancy.
COA’s findings indicated that a slope protection structure had already been built at the originally approved site well before the project’s official start date on February 25, 2025. This raises serious concerns about potential duplicate accomplishments among the reported project completions.
Mismatched Sites in Other Projects
Further investigations revealed similar issues with projects awarded to Topnotch Catalyst Builders. For instance, the P69.48 million riverbank protection structure project in Barangay Bulihan also exhibited site mismatches. COA inspections noted that the location had previously been occupied by another flood control project that was unrelated to the current contract. Again, DPWH officials could not justify the site transfer, further casting doubt on the integrity of the project management.
Notice of Disallowance Issued
As a result of these discrepancies, COA issued a Notice of Disallowance to the DPWH in August 2025, stemming from the department’s failure to provide necessary documentation. The implicated individuals in this case include several high-ranking DPWH officials, whose involvement potentially amounts to several criminal charges, including graft and corruption, malversation, and falsification of public documents.
Impact of Findings
The implications of COA’s findings are considerable. The audits represent ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in government projects, especially those involving public safety, such as flood control measures. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously ordering the disqualification of SYMS from future government contracts due to identified “ghost projects,” the current investigations reinforce a strong stance against corruption in public works.
Conclusion
As the COA continues to release reports on these issues, the focus remains on ensuring that all parties involved in the alleged irregularities are held accountable. The situation remains fluid, with potential legal ramifications for individuals and companies implicated in these fraudulent activities. Moving forward, it is critical for government agencies to employ strict oversight in public infrastructure projects to safeguard public funds and maintain the integrity of the engineering and construction sectors.
