Bicol region draws scrutiny in wake of flood control project controversy

By Manuel T. Ugalde

Amid growing national concern over alleged irregularities in multi-billion-peso flood control projects, the Bicol Region has come under heightened attention following the inclusion of three Bicol-based construction firms in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s list of the top 11 contractors awarded major government infrastructure contracts.

President Marcos, visibly dismayed during a personal inspection in Bulacan, expressed frustration over reports of incomplete or substandard flood control structures.

“I am not just dismayed — I am very angry,” he said. “I am seriously considering whether charges may be warranted against those responsible for sabotaging our flood control efforts.”

While specific regions were not officially named, reports circulated suggesting Bicol could be among areas subject to further review, based on project allocations and the firms involved. However, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte clarified that the region has no record of confirmed “ghost projects” and emphasized Bicol is not officially under investigation at this time.

Despite this, public scrutiny in the region has intensified. Some residents have urged the administration to broaden its probe to include road and other infrastructure projects, noting long-standing concerns about the quality of public works in Bicol. A 2022 letter from a Naga City-based civil engineer, published in Bicol Mail, alleged that newly built roads in the region frequently developed cracks within a year of completion — an issue not commonly seen in other parts of the country.

The three Bicol-based companies named in the President’s list are:

Centerways Construction and Development Inc.

Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.

Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp.

Centerways ranked seventh, while Sunwest and Hi-Tone ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in terms of project value awarded. According to public records, Centerways is reportedly owned by Lawrenz Lubiano, the son of the late Walter Lubiano, a former DPWH assistant regional director. Sunwest and Hi-Tone are based in Legazpi City and were previously associated with the family of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representatives Zaldy and Christopher Co. Both lawmakers have formally declared their divestment from these firms.

According to government data, flood control funding for Bicol since 2023 has amounted to approximately P49 billion. However, during Typhoon Kristine last year, several provinces — including Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon — experienced severe flooding. This led to a temporary four-day disruption of the Manila–Bicol–Visayas transport corridor, starting from the Camarines Sur area.

Within the DPWH regional office in Bicol, sources — who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly — indicated that internal reviews are being undertaken in light of the national discussion, although no formal investigation has been announced.

One area said to be facing challenges is Catanduanes, where the district engineering office has reportedly seen rapid turnover in leadership. Since 2022, four different engineers have served in the position, with at least two reportedly leaving their posts prematurely. The current district engineer, Simon Arias, is said to have requested reassignment, citing operational difficulties.

Nationally, Senator Panfilo Lacson has reiterated his longstanding call for transparency in infrastructure spending. In earlier reports, Lacson had raised concerns about lawmakers’ alleged ties to government contractors — though he emphasized the importance of legal due process in all cases.