DPWH Secretary Dizon orders Perpetual ban for Firms Linked to ‘Ghost’ Projects
MANILA – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan hasโ ordered a perpetual banโ from โฃfuture DPWHโ contracts for Wawao Builders and SYMS Construction โขTrading, firms found to be contractors for “ghost” flood controlโ projects in Bulacanโค province. The decision follows inspections revealing substandard or nonexistent infrastructure despite millions in allocated funding.The crackdownโ comes in response โฃto President Ferdinand โMarcos Jr.’s directiveโฃ for swift actionโ and โขaccountability โregarding anomalous projects. The projects in question include a P96.5-million project awarded to Wawaoโ Builders and โขa โขP55-million project awarded to SYMSโ Construction Trading, both located inโข Bulacan. Additionally, a P107.9 millionโ project built by Great Pacific Builders โขand Gen Contractor incorporated, owned by the Discayas, was found to have substandard materials.
DPWH Press Officer Claire Castro statedโค that criminal charges will be filed against both Wawao Builders and SYMS Construction Trading. Secretary Bonoan further indicatedโข heโค would recommendโ filing charges againstโ the two firms with the department of Justice.
Wawao Builders is among the top 15 contractors that โคpreviously secured major flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025. Its general manager, Mark allan Arevalo, recently โinvoked his right against self-incrimination โคduring โa โsenate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalies in flood โฃcontrol projects when questioned โฃabout the existence โof “ghost” projects. โ
The P55-million reinforced concrete river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan, โฃundertaken by โฃSYMS Construction trading, was identified as a “ghost” project by President Marcosโ during anโ inspection onโ August 20.Secretary dizon emphasized that all contractors involved inโค “ghost” flood control projects will โface an “automatic perpetual ban” fromโค the DPWH.