Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon conducted a comprehensive site inspection in Siargao Island on Monday, fulfilling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to personally assess the condition of critical infrastructure across the country and identify methods to accelerate construction timelines.
The Secretary’s inspection regrettably exposed significant completion discrepancies and unacceptable delays in several key projects intended to support the island’s rehabilitation and growth.
Secretary Dizon expressed profound dismay upon visiting the Maasin and Asinan bridges in the Municipality of Pilar. These bridges, initiated in 2021 and officially declared completed in 2022, were found to be unfinished and non-operational.
A similar, alarming inconsistency was discovered in the flood control project in Brgy. Tuburan, Del Carmen. While official reports indicated the project was 95% complete, Secretary Dizon’s on-site verification revealed the actual physical accomplishment to be only 35%.
“We cannot tolerate public funds being squandered due to negligence or, worse, deliberate misreporting,” Secretary Dizon stated. “The people of Siargao deserve projects delivered on time and according to the highest standards. We are immediately implementing measures to fast-track these completions while simultaneously initiating a rigorous investigation.”
The Department is currently working to accelerate the remaining work on all identified delayed projects. Furthermore, Secretary Dizon has directed the DPWH Legal and Internal Audit teams to investigate the specific causes of the delays and scrutinize the performance of the responsible contractor, including its alleged ties to Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco “Bingo” Matugas.
The DPWH remains committed to ensuring accountability, transparency, and timely delivery of quality infrastructure vital for national development.
