Public works corruption declines in Bicol Region
By Manuel T. Ugalde
FOR decades, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol had been notoriously dubbed as the most graft-ridden office in the region. However, under the current administration, the office has reportedly experienced a decline in controversy over the past two years.
According to unofficial sources within the DPWH, the Bicol DPWH had been portrayed by the media as highly corrupt over the past four decades, earning the derogatory nickname “Departamento sa Pagnanakaw ng Walang Hanggan.”
That reputation was further solidified during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, when lawmakers were granted open access to project implementation, regardless of political affiliation. Sorsogon Governor Juan Frivaldo, a staunch critic and journalist, notably attacked Bicol lawmakers, referring to them as “Kongresista sa Manila, Kontratista sa probinsya” (legislators in Manila, contractors in the province).
Frivaldo, who went into exile in the United States during the Marcos dictatorship after exposing the falsification of the president’s war medals, returned to the Philippines after the 1986 EDSA Revolution and won three consecutive terms as governor. He noted that during the Marcos era, only lawmakers affiliated with the ruling Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party had limited access to pork barrel funds.
Recent sources have indicated that the long-standing issue of insider contractors—often involving even contractual and job order workers linked to politicians—has been slowly disappearing from the news.
During the early years of the Aquino administration, local journalists in Camarines Sur added to the DPWH’s reputation by coining the phrase, “In every public works project is a crime.” Between the Cory and Benigno Aquino III administrations, several DPWH engineers in Bicol were murdered, including two regional directors from Camarines Sur.
Before his assassination at Pili Airport, Regional Director Nestor “Jake” Tria revealed in an exclusive interview that pork barrel kickbacks were a significant source of corruption. The murders of these engineers were widely covered in both local and national media as part of broader corruption scandals.
A retired district engineer acknowledged the DPWH’s tarnished image over the past four decades but noted that media reports of corruption have decreased during the first two years of Marcos administration.
He emphasized that the media is a partner in uncovering the truth, rather than an adversary. Under the leadership of DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, there has been a notable reduction in negative press about the department.
The engineer recalled an incident during the early years of President Benigno Aquino III’s term, where a contractual employee at the DPWH regional office lost P200,000 in cash while attending a flag ceremony.
In a separate media report, it was revealed that a bank’s armored car had delivered cash to the DPWH regional office, allegedly intended for a top official and arranged by a female contractor. To avoid further media attention, the incident involving the lost money was settled internally.
Despite the lingering issues, there are indications of progress. In a recent radio interview, an engineer from Albay’s 3rd District Engineering Office reported that some projects had been unofficially subcontracted, with certain contractors being unqualified.
Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Rizaldy Co, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has called on the DPWH to be vigilant against such practices, warning that they often lead to substandard work.
An anonymous DPWH engineer confirmed that while the issue of insider contractors has not been completely eradicated, it has significantly diminished. He expressed frustration with the Duterte administration’s Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, which had labeled the Bicol DPWH as the most corrupt.
He also criticized certain members of the media for being irresponsible and corrupt in their coverage of DPWH activities.
When asked about reports suggesting a reduction in controversy at the Bicol DPWH, Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte stated that he was unaware of the positive feedback but attributed any improvements to the leadership of Secretary Bonoan.
Eduarte highlighted the revival of a professional testing system for DPWH promotions, originally introduced by former Secretary Gregorio Vigilar during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos. He added that the regional office is doing its best to erase the DPWH’s reputation as one of the most corrupt offices in Bicol.
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Why are there no dates in these reports?