Bacolod lawmaker urges DPWH chief to go on leave

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has called on Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence while the agency is under investigation.

“When there are questions about a company’s finances, you don’t ask the accountant to audit himself. You bring in someone independent to find the truth,” Benitez said Friday on his social media page.

He added, “Out of delicadeza, and to help preserve the integrity of any inquiry, I respectfully urge the DPWH secretary to take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing.”

“This simple act of good faith will go a long way toward restoring public trust and ensuring that the process is impartial and credible,” he added.

The DPWH is currently under scrutiny following the alleged failure of various flood control projects across the country.

The issue gained traction after massive flooding hit several areas due to the southwest monsoon intensified by Tropical Storm Crising.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his recent State of the Nation Address, also raised the issue, putting the agency further in the spotlight.

Benitez emphasized, “The same principle should apply in government. The implementor should not be the evaluator.”

In the Negros Island Region, damage to agriculture and infrastructure caused by Severe Tropical Storm Crising, enhanced by the southwest monsoon, has reached PHP130,138,727, according to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

As of July 29, 2025, the RDRRMO reported PHP97,265,558.58 in agricultural losses and PHP88,713,000 in infrastructure damage.

Office of Civil Defense–NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said in a phone interview Tuesday that damage reports are still being finalized.

“We are still collating data on the total damage,” Sermeno said.

Assistance to affected families has reached PHP32,873,169.

Three deaths have been recorded so far, he added.

A total of 188,498 individuals, or 49,795 families, across 208 barangays have been affected.

At least 507 houses were damaged—454 partially and 53 totally.