DPWH urged to probe PHP 7.3-B Antique infra projects

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Questions over permits, environmental compliance, and public spending have prompted a coalition in Antique to urge the Department of Public Works and Highways to investigate six infrastructure projects in the province worth PHP 7.3 billion.

In a letter dated May 6, the Amlig Antique Alliance (AMLIG) asked DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to launch a department-level inquiry into 92 contracts covering the six projects.

The alliance, led by Chairperson Rolly Pedrina and Co-Convenor Father Edione Febrero, identified what it described as “serious, documented red flags” involving projects implemented from 2017 to 2025.

The projects include the San Jose Coastal Road, the Panay East-West Lateral Road (PEWLR), the Laua-an–Tapaz Road, the Pandan–Ibajay Road, the Bugo–Gen. Fullon Road, and the Sabang West Road. All were implemented on a multiyear basis.

The Laua-an–Tapaz Road, which traverses mountainous areas in Laua-an, Bugasong, and Barbaza, is the largest of the six. It carries a total cost of PHP 3.577 billion across 50 contracts.

The coalition reported that 11 contracts for the San Jose Coastal Road allegedly had no ECC or CNC, while 12 contracts for the Laua-an–Tapaz Road reportedly had revoked ECCs.

The San Jose Coastal Road project, valued at PHP 1.507 billion, is the subject of a pending environmental case before the Regional Trial Court in Antique.

The PHP 1.163 billion PEWLR project also allegedly had ECCs revoked for eight of its nine contracts.

“Yet no penalties have been imposed, no administrative or criminal cases have been filed, and some projects continue or have resumed,” AMLIG said.

The coalition further alleged that construction for several projects was carried out in forestlands and foreshore areas without the required lease agreements, potentially constituting illegal occupation of public land.

AMLIG also flagged possible violations of the Government Auditing Code and the Government Procurement Reform Act, citing repeated awards to the same contractors and what it called the possible existence of “ghost flood control projects.”

The group called for the immediate preventive suspension of the Antique district engineer to prevent the possible “destruction, alteration, or removal” of critical project documents, including disbursement vouchers and progress payment certifications.

“The district engineer has exclusive custody and control over the […] records, which are at risk of spoliation based on recent incidents in other districts,” the group said.

AMLIG also asked Dizon to issue show-cause orders against the regional director and the district engineer, suspend further payments for ongoing contracts, and refer the findings to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible criminal prosecution where warranted.

The coalition further requested a technical validation of the 92 projects to verify their physical existence and compliance with approved plans and permits.

It asked Dizon to provide an update on the investigation within 30 days from the DPWH’s receipt of the letter on May 8.

“AMLIG is not aligned with any political group. Our sole advocacy is lawful infrastructure development, environmental protection, and proper use of public funds,” the alliance said.