Inspection Team and Scope

The inspection was led by PACC Chairman Dr. Louie F. Ceniza, PhD, together with PACC President VADM Andres B. Visaya Jr. (PCRGA), PACC Board of Trustees Member Dr. Allan B. Japor, PhD, and PACC volunteer civil engineers from Capiz, who conducted a comprehensive on-site technical assessment and validation of the project’s actual physical condition.

Project Background (Based on Official Records)

Based on official records from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Project and Contract Management Application (PCMA), the project commenced on August 7, 2024, with a contractual completion date of June 17, 2025. The PCMA indicates a reported physical accomplishment of 58.49%, while the DPWH Capiz 1st District Engineering Office reported a higher accomplishment rate of 71%.

Key Findings and Observations

• Incomplete and Improperly Installed Structural Works — Multiple steel sheet piles and structural steel components were observed to be exposed, partially embedded, leaning, or misaligned, indicating unfinished pile-driving works and possible deviations from approved engineering plans and technical specifications.
• Absence of Essential Structural Components — No concrete capping beam was observed securing the tops of the installed steel sheet piles. Moreover, the riverbanks lack revetment works, riprap, or concrete slope protection—critical components for long-term stability and flood mitigation.
• Clear Indicators of Prolonged Project Inactivity — Vegetation growth around structural elements and embankment slopes, coupled with the absence of construction equipment, manpower, and temporary safety installations, strongly suggests that construction activities have been halted for a considerable period.
• Erosion and Public Safety Risks — Visible soil erosion and embankment instability were noted, posing heightened risks of structural failure during heavy rainfall and flooding. Exposed steel components are also vulnerable to corrosion, further compromising structural integrity.
• Discrepancy Between Reported Accomplishment and Actual Site Condition — The observed physical condition of the project does not appear consistent with the reported 58.49% to 71% accomplishment, raising serious concerns regarding the accuracy of progress reporting, validation processes, and monitoring mechanisms.

Barangay Confirmation

Barangay Captain Juan Deita Baulite of Barangay Ambilay confirmed that the project has been inactive for an extended period and that residents have repeatedly raised concerns due to escalating flood risks and the absence of protective infrastructure.

He further disclosed that the barangay has already filed a formal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, citing the alleged abandonment of the project by both the contractor and the implementing agency.

PACC Recommendations

1. Immediate technical validation and re-measurement of reported accomplishments against actual completed quantities on-site;
2. Thorough review of progress billings, payments, and any approved variation orders released to the contractor;
3. Assessment of possible contract violations, including abandonment, undue delay, and misrepresentation of physical accomplishment;
4. Close coordination with the DPWH Central Office, Commission on Audit (COA), and the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure accountability and appropriate corrective action; and
5. Immediate implementation of urgent remedial and protective measures to prevent further riverbank erosion and reduce flood risks to affected communities.

Statements from PACC Leadership

“This investigation will go beyond surface-level explanations. We will determine why this project stalled, who allowed it to happen, and who benefited from the delay. If public funds were misused and communities were left at risk, those responsible—whether contractor or government official—will be held fully accountable under the law.”

— PACC President VADM Andres B. Visaya Jr. (PCRGA)

“This investigation is not about accusations—it is about truth and responsibility. When flood control projects fail, it is the people who suffer first. Public office and public contracts are a trust, not a privilege. We will not allow negligence, misrepresentation, or abuse of public funds to go unchecked.”

— PACC Chairman Dr. Louie F. Ceniza, PhD