Malabon mulls suit vs DPWH, contractors

MANILA, Philippines – The city government of Malabon is considering filing criminal and administrative charges against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and several contractors for their failure to finish the Camanava flood control project.

City Administrator Engineer Benjamin Villacorta said government lawyers are building up a case against those responsible for delaying the project, but refused to name names until they are formally charged before the Office of the Ombudsman or the court.

The city government decided on this course of action to find out the truth behind the delays hounding the project. DPWH officials have repeatedly promised that the project would be completed.

Villacorta said the flood control project was started in 2003 and was supposed to be completed in 2007. The national government allocated the amount of P3,479,584,407.13 in order to address the perennial problem of flooding in Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela).

Villacorta said the DPWH officials tasked by the national government to oversee the construction of the project are responsible for the actions and can be charged as public servants under the country’s laws.

The Malabon flood control advisory council supports Villacorta’s stand, saying the DPWH officials “have neglected their responsibility” in finishing the project.

Council vice chairman parish priest Ric Torrefiel said residents of flood-prone Malabon have lost patience with the DPWH.

“We welcome the filing of charges against the highway officials who were tasked to oversee and manage the construction of the project, but failed because up to now it remains unfinished,” he said.

City administration officials said the city government has been badly affected by the project delays as some traders had to pull out their businesses to escape the perennial floods.

Malabon Rep. Jaye Lacson Noel earlier said the DPWH has exhausted its 2010 allocation for the flood control project but added that she has no idea how it was spent.

City assistant engineer Ruth Zenaida said the DPWH promised to finish the project by March, but 12 percent of the project remains to be completed as of this month.