The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has removed four officials from their posts in Davao and Cebu over alleged irregularities involving flood control projects and extortion of contractors, Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday.

According to a report by Jecelle Ricafort, three of the officials are based in Davao, including former Davao City District Engineer Richard Ragasa, who is being investigated in connection with a case filed by the National Bureau of Investigation before the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman over flood control projects in the region.

Dizon said Ragasa, who has since been assigned to Region 4B, along with current Davao Assistant District Engineer Lilibeth Sarmento and Construction Chief Roberto Mamaril, were removed from their positions effective Monday while the investigation continues.

The officials are among those being investigated over alleged anomalies involving flood control projects linked to Genesis88 Construction Inc. in Davao, Dizon said.

In a separate case, Dizon said engineer Roberto Catingub, construction chief of the DPWH's Cebu Fourth District Engineering Office, was also removed from his post following a report that he allegedly solicited money from contractors.