Uncovered secret ventures linked to construction firms affiliated with the Department of Public Works and Highways in Bulacan
Anomalous Flood Control Contracts Under Scrutiny in Bulacan, Philippines
The towns of Hagonoy, Paombong, Bulakan, and the City of Malolos in Bulacan are surrounded by fish cages and fish farms, and have been identified as flood-prone areas in the National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050). This has raised concerns as two local contractors, Wawao Builders and SYMS Contractor, have been implicated in alleged "ghost projects" related to flood control contracts, worth billions of pesos, without proper physical completion or financial accountability.
Wawao Builders, owned by Mark Allan Arevalo, received over ₱9 billion in government flood control contracts nationwide from 2022 to 2025, with 85 projects in Bulacan alone totaling about ₱5.971 billion. Reports indicate 58 supposed projects completed worth ₱4.2 billion may include ghost projects—contracts awarded but not physically realized. SYMS Construction, a sole proprietorship run by Sally Nicolas Santos, allegedly completed 16 flood control projects valued at ₱931.2 million during the same period.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada has raised this issue and called for accountability, identifying Wawao Builders and SYMS Contractor as contractors with alleged ghost projects in Bulacan province. The scandal has drawn scrutiny over allegations that these firms secured disproportionate government contracts without delivering actual works.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has confirmed some projects appear to be ghost projects and promised forthcoming full financial and physical reports. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee held a hearing regarding these allegations, and Bonoan has also stated that some of the projects awarded to Wawao Builders in Bulacan appeared to be non-existent.
The ghost projects were reportedly found in Calumpit, Malolos, and Hagonoy in Bulacan province. The investigations are ongoing, awaiting detailed audit reports to clarify the extent of the anomalies and identify responsible individuals for legal and administrative action. DPWH Secretary Bonoan has assured that charges will be filed against those involved in the implementation of the alleged ghost projects.
It is important to note that this article presents factual information based on the provided bullet points and does not contain opinions or unrelated information. The investigations and hearings are ongoing, and further updates may be provided as more information becomes available.
[1] https://www.rappler.com/nation/government/331015-wawao-builders-sams-contractor-anomalous-flood-control-deals [2] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/10/2179186/wawao-builders-sams-contractor-named-anomalous-flood-control-deals [3] https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/788384/wawao-builders-sams-contractor-named-in-anomalous-flood-control-deals/story/ [4] https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/03/09/23/wawao-builders-sams-contractor-named-in-anomalous-flood-control-deals
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