Billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro have allegedly been wasted on substandard, overpriced, and even non-existent infrastructure, Governor Humerlito Dolor revealed during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, September 8.
Dolor, testifying before lawmakers, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) poured more than ₱30 billion into flood control from 2022 to 2025. Yet, despite the massive spending, the province continued to suffer from devastating floods every year.
“From 2022 to 2025, we were given a total from the NEP (National Expenditure Program) around ₱12 billion. Pero noong lumabas na po sa GAA (General Appropriations Act), ₱30 billion. Total insertion po is ₱17,820,439,000 as far as flood control projects are concerned,” Dolor told senators.
He noted that a masterplan for flood mitigation, prepared with experts and endorsed by the provincial government in 2019, was not followed.
“Kung sinunod po ‘yong flood mitigation masterplan ng probinsya, more or less sana solve na ang problema. Kaya lang po tignan n’yo po ‘yong nangyari—2022 baha, 2023 baha, 2024 baha, 2025 baha despite the presence of more than ₱30 billion flood control. Bakit po?”
Substandard Construction
Dolor alleged that contractors failed to comply with approved engineering standards.
“Ang nakalagay po Mr. Chair, ang dapat ibinabaon ng contractor [ay] 12 linear meters ang sheet piles, ‘yan ay pirmado nila. Pero… ang actual na sheet piles na ibinabaon [ay] 3 meters,” he said. “Paano po hindi magiging substandard?”
He also cited the collapse of a flood control project in Sto. Niño, Pinamalayan in October 2024, saying, “Ang tanda ko lang po noong 2023 ay isa: Sunwest,” in reference to the construction firm owned by Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co and his brother Christopher Co.
Ghost and Incomplete Projects
Dolor further claimed that a ₱189-million project in Sitio Dike, Barangay Apitong, Naujan does not exist. “Ghost project… doon po sa barangay na iyon wala ‘yong ₱189 million project na sabing kinonstruct. Ito pong ghost sa Apitong is [St. Timothy] Elite,” he said.
He also pointed to what he called a “mananaggal project,” where only part of the contract was completed.
“Ang nakalagay po sa contract is 325 meters, ang ginawa lang nila noong 2023 ay 189, nawala ang kalahati… sino po ang contractor? St. Timothy po,” Dolor said.
Cost Discrepancies
The governor raised questions over alleged overpricing. “Sabi sa unang interview ng DPWH ‘₱1 billion per kilometer.’ That means ₱1 million per linear meter. Binago po nila noong second interview, ginawa nilang ₱700 million per linear meter,” he said.
Dolor also revealed that DPWH Director Gerald Pacanan told him part of the funds were earmarked for unexplained allocations.
“Gov, maganda naman po sana ‘yong disenyo kaya lamang po alam mo naman may kailangan bigyan ng 25% sa taas. At merong 5% na parking. Meron pa raw 12% others. So… that’s all in all 42%,” Dolor quoted the official as saying.
Dolor added that contractors were also involved in illegal quarrying. “Apat na beses na po kaming nakahuli ng theft of minerals… kumukuha ng quarry sa lugar na bawal, walang quarry permit… hindi pa nagbabayad ng quarry tax nang tama,” he said.
Ending his testimony, Governor Dolor urged the Senate panel and the newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to ensure that big-ticket projects undergo thorough review by the Regional Development Council (RDC).
He stressed the importance of transparency, reminding officials that public funds must be safeguarded and used wisely.
“Buwis po ito ng mamamayan. Buwis po ito ng bawat isa sa atin.”
