In Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY – A P192.3-million flood control project in Hernani, Eastern Samar has come under fire from concerned citizens who alleged that the infrastructure exists largely “on paper,” despite reports of an 84.72 percent completion rate.
In a social media post on August 30 addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the group claimed that the project—formally titled “Construction of Flood Control Structure, Barangay Batang–Barangay Garawon, Hernani, Eastern Samar” (Contract ID: 24I00046)—was only recently mobilized.
The contract was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor and Development Corp., a firm reportedly linked to the Discaya family, which has been cited in reports for securing billions worth of public works contracts.
The complainants alleged that manpower and equipment originally intended for Hernani were instead diverted to a separate flood control project in Barangay Soong, Llorente, which has also faced public scrutiny.
“This practice is a blatant violation of government rules. Each project has its own budget, manpower, and equipment. To divert resources between projects is not only illegal, it is a betrayal of public trust,” the citizens’ letter read.
According to government records, the Hernani project has a contract cost of P192,393,616.92, with an effectivity date of April 1, 2024, and an expiry date of January 25, 2025. It is being implemented by the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In an official statement issued on Sunday, August 31, DPWH Region VIII denied reports that 80 percent of the project funds had already been released.
“Our records confirm that no such payments have been made,” the agency said.
It admitted delays in implementation but attributed these to temporary work suspensions to comply with environmental requirements and to address concerns raised by relevant authorities and stakeholders.
“These measures are vital to ensure that the projects are executed responsibly, sustainably, and with due regard for both the community and the environment,” DPWH added.
The complainants, however, rejected DPWH’s explanation, arguing that environmental safeguards should have been integrated long before implementation began.
“The rules leave no room for ambiguity: technical specifications, environmental safeguards, and the necessary permits should have been in place before a single peso from the General Appropriations Act was released. Yet here we are, confronted with a project bulldozing through a mangrove forest that should never have been ignored,” the group said, referring to the area where the project is located to have mangroves.
The citizens called on DPWH to release key project documents, including feasibility studies, preliminary and detailed engineering designs, and the project’s books of accounts, to prove transparency.
DPWH, for its part, maintained that both the Hernani and Llorente flood control projects will be completed as planned, stressing their importance in shielding Eastern Samar communities from recurring floods and natural disasters.
JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA
