The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered a fraud audit in flood control projects in Region 3 provinces with a strict focus on the implemented projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan.

Reports state that Bulacan received at least P44 billion funding for flood control initiatives which amounts to almost half of the P98 billion sum for the flood control funding for Central Luzon.

In a memorandum signed by COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba, the chairperson highlighted the strict and immediate compliance of the audit operation in response to the issues raised by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Given the critical issues raised by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. regarding the implementation of these projects, particularly in the Province of Bulacan, a fraud audit is an immediate and unequivocal necessity,” the COA said in an August 12 memorandum.

Bulacan Governor claims office uninformed

Meanwhile, in an interview with DZRH Stories, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando claims that his office was not informed regarding the operations of the flood control projects within the province.

He also stated that he initiated an executive order in creating an inter-agency committee to oversee the infrastructures and funding but again, he was not entirely informed of its undertaking.

“Kaya nga isa sa mga sinumbit namin sa national government ay itong mga pumping station. Hindi ko nga alam kung yung ibang sinubmit ko ay nabudgetan. Hindi ako na-inform,” the Governor added.

The Bulacan Governor also suggested that the investigation on the fake completion reports and the flood control schemes should be personally administered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to avoid further false project claims and manipulation.

“Huwag niyang ipa-ubaya ang investigation mismo sa kanyang mga tao. Siya mismo maging head ng investigation. Dapat siya. Sinubmit sa kanya “finished” na, hindi pa pala. Minsan na siyang naloko. Kailangan siya mismo baka mamaya magisa eh.”

Prior to the COA-mandated fraud audit, President Marcos Jr. along with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Governor Daniel Fernando conducted an inspection on the expected rehabilitation of a river structure in Calumpit Bulacan.

Following the inspection, another P96.4 million structure rehabilitation project in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan which was stated “completed” in February 2023, was discovered to be falsely reported and allegedly failed completion according to an entry on the sumbongsapangulo.ph website.

The recently launched “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website serves as a platform where the public may report social issues and concerns such as suspected anomalies in flood control projects.