Former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara admitted to showing negligence over the flood control projects he handled.
During the House Infrastructure Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 2, Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. questioned whether Alcantara checked the documents presented to him. Having been a district engineer for several years, Momo stated that he always checks and verifies the documents presented to him before signing.
Although Alcantara said they conduct a staff meeting for all section chiefs every Monday, he admitted that he was not able to inspect the site where the nonexistent flood control project was located, adding that he relied on the signatures of his personnel.
“So nagrerely ka lang sa project engineer mo, construction engineer mo, project in charge mo...na isusubo sa’yo lahat pipirmahan mo? Lahat ng ibibigay sa iyo pipirmahan mo?” Momo questioned.
Alcantara agreed, prompting the lawmaker to inquire, “Ganoon ba ‘yon? Ganoon ba nag district engineer ngayon?”
“Because I trust them, Your Honor,” Alcantara responded. “Maybe ‘yun po ‘yung negligence on my part and ‘yun po ang kakulangan ko, Your Honor.”
Meanwhile, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun asked Alcantara if he believes that he is the one responsible for the ghost project that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had inspected in Baliwag, Bulacan, including the lack of materials and delivery supplies.
“Actually po, ang negligence on my part. Inaamin ko pong may kakulangan ako,” the former district engineer responded.
Being the former district engineer, Alcantara signed off on several flood control projects, including the 220-meter project worth ₱55 million in Baliwag, Bulacan.
Last month, Marcos expressed that he was “very angry” upon seeing the nonexistent flood control project in the area.
