Several contractors tagged in alleged “ghost” flood control projects will face investigation before the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) on Wednesday, August 27.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Monday, PCAB Executive Director Atty. Herbert Matienzo said that one of the firms is SYMS Construction Trading, which was linked to a ₱55-million ghost project in Baliwag, Bulacan, that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself personally inspected.
Also summoned are two other contractors, Wawao Builders and Darcy and Anna Builders, which earlier exposed by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in his privilege speech.
“Una po doon sa top 15 contractors na nabanggit ng mahal na Pangulo, agad po namin silang sinulatan, nag-summon po kami sa kanila upang magpadala ng report tungkol sa mga proyektong nabanggit ng Pangulo,” Matienzo said.
According to the report by RH Kyle Bullas, Matienzo added that PCAB has also issued summons to all contractors included in the so-called “Top 15” firms, which collectively account for around 20 percent of flood control projects nationwide.
Matienzo explained that PCAB also wrote to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last August 18, seeking details of its own investigation.
The board also reiterated that PCAB is not involved in bidding activities; it said it relies on DPWH’s technical findings to determine whether the projects meet government standards.
"Dahil hindi kami kasali sa pag-award ng project, hindi po namin alam ang specification ng project, nakumpleto ba ito, o kailan makukumpleto. Sumulat din po kami sa DPWH noong August 18," Matienzo said.
"Humihingi rin kami ng detalye tungkol sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga tungkol sa top 15 na ito, kung ano ang naging resulta ng naging resulta ng kanilang audit doon sa projects ng Top 15," he added.
Matienzo noted that the board’s primary concern is whether a contractor holds a valid license.
PCAB also relies heavily on public complaints against contractors that leave projects unfinished, submit falsified documents, or operate without proper accreditation.
“Ang number one po talagang dahilan kung bakit natatanggalan ng lisensya ang mga contractor ay dahil iniiwan nila ang proyekto na nakatiwangwang, hindi tinatapos. Meron ding mga nagsa-submit ng falsified documents, at ito po ay nahuhuli din namin,” he revealed.
On the issue of license lending, Matienzo clarified that it is prohibited under the law.
“Bawal magpahiram ng lisensya. Ang ina-allow lang po ng batas ay subcontracting, provided na yung subcontractor ay may lisensya at hindi sosobra sa 50 percent ng kontrata ang ipapasa sa kanila,” he said.
PCAB board member named in Top 15 contractors list takes leave amid probe
Meanwhile, questions of conflict of interest surfaced after Marcos flagged EGB Construction Corporation, owned by Engr. Ernie Bagao, who also sits as a member of the PCAB board, as among the Top 15 contractors under scrutiny.
Matienzo clarified that Bagao immediately filed a leave of absence after President Marcos released the list, which coincided with the launch of the ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website.
“Noong napangalanan po si Engr. Ernie Bagao, agaran po siyang nag-file ng leave of absence. Ang board naman po tinanggap po ng board ang kanyang LOA until such time na ma-clear ang kanyang pangalan sa isyu na ito,” Matienzo explained.
Looking ahead, Matienzo said he hopes PCAB can strengthen its enforcement through decentralization.
“Ang ineenvision ko ay sana magkaroon kami ng regional offices para mas magampanan pa namin ang aming mandato sa pag-iisyu, pagsuspinde, at pagrerevoke ng lisensya,” he added.
