DPWH Secretary Condemns ‘Ghost’ Flood-Control Project at Culaman Bridge in Davao Occidental

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon harshly criticized local DPWH officials on Thursday following an inspection of the Culaman Bridge flood-control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, which he labeled a "ghost" project. Awarded in 2021 during the previous administration to St. Timothy Construction, a firm linked to Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, the project showed minimal to no visible progress despite official records indicating full payment and completion by 2022.

Dizon’s site visit was conducted alongside Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser and Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Upon discovery of the discrepancies between the payment records and the actual work done, the ICI declared the location a "crime scene" and immediately halted all ongoing works.

Expressing outrage, Dizon confronted the local DPWH leadership, questioning why a project designed to protect local residents and students remained unconstructed despite complete payment. In a firm rebuke, he reprimanded the district engineer with strong language and vowed to hold accountable anyone involved in fraudulent, substandard, or nonexistent flood-control projects.

Highlighting St. Timothy Construction as the contract recipient, Dizon noted that this company and others connected to the Discaya family have been under scrutiny for similar flood-control contracts amid complaints arising from Bulacan and other regions. The ICI and its members have persistently demanded explanations from contractors and DPWH personnel as investigations into the broader flood-control program continue.

From the inspection site, Dizon issued a stern warning to all DPWH district engineers and regional directors, emphasizing the commission's resolve to uncover and address any irregularities. He stated, "I don’t care if all the DEs in the Philippines are gone… If it’s necessary to run out of you all, we will run you out." He further stressed that officials who approved or certified projects without proper verification would face removal and potential administrative or criminal charges.

This incident adds to growing concerns about numerous high-value flood-control contracts awarded since 2022, which critics argue have been disproportionately awarded to a limited group of contractors. Multiple government entities including the Office of the President, the ICI, and the Ombudsman have initiated inquiries and issued show-cause orders to reconcile discrepancies between payment records and actual site conditions. While St. Timothy Construction has denied some ownership links cited by investigators and disputed certain claims, the investigations proceed.

Authorities emphasize the immediate need to thoroughly document the irregularities observed at the Culaman Bridge site and to preserve the area for ongoing investigations. Administrative and criminal referrals are being prepared for DPWH staff and involved contractors who certified or accepted either nonexistent or deficient work. Secretary Dizon has already initiated or threatened disciplinary and legal measures against implicated DPWH officials in previous flagged cases, signaling a more stringent enforcement approach by the agency moving forward.