On September 2, 2025, the PACC, together with Board of Trustees member Allan Japor, conducted an on-site inspection of the Revetment along Mawab River, Brgy. Poblacion, following mounting complaints from residents and road users.
The PACC ocular visit revealed alarming conditions:
- Collapsed Sections: Both sides of the newly completed revetment have caved in, with major portions already destroyed.
- Visible Cracks and Cavities: Standing sections exhibited wide cracks, hollow voids, and “lake-hole” formations—indicators of poor compaction and weak structural support.
- Exposed Reinforcement Bars: Steel reinforcements are visible due to fractured slabs, reflecting inadequate workmanship.
According to PACC Chairman Ceniza:
“A project that collapses within months of completion is not an act of nature—it is an act of negligence. The people of Mawab trusted that millions of pesos in public funds would protect them, not endanger them. This collapse is nothing less than economic sabotage.”
DPWH 11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz attributed the collapse to natural causes such as shearline rains, floods, and seismic activity, stressing that the project was not substandard.
PACC counters that:
- Flood-control structures are specifically designed to withstand Mindanao’s seasonal rains and flooding. Failure during initial exposure reflects structural weakness, not unavoidable calamity.
- The damage patterns—localized panel displacement, cracking, and hollow cavities—are consistent with poor construction practices, not catastrophic weather or seismic events.
- The project’s premature collapse is a direct violation of DPWH’s own “Blue Book” standards, which mandate durability under such conditions.
The project cost the government ₱53.3 million under Legacy Construction Corporation, which has already been identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as No. 1 among the top 15 problematic contractors in the country.
Despite the collapse, DPWH-XI has announced plans to repair the structure using the Quick Response Fund (QRF)—a move that forces taxpayers to pay twice for the same failed project, while allowing the contractor to evade responsibility.
BOT Allan Japor emphasized:
“The people of Mawab deserve flood protection, not more danger. If this project collapses entirely, it will not only waste government resources but also put lives and livelihoods at even greater risk.”
To protect the public interest, the PACC will immediately:
1. Recommend a Third-Party Technical Audit – including soil tests, core sampling, and hydrological assessments to determine exact causes.
2. Demand Contractor Accountability – Legacy Construction must repair collapsed portions at its own expense, in line with its defects liability and warranty obligations.
3. Endorse Blacklisting and Sanctions – If negligence is confirmed, PACC will recommend for blacklisting of the contractor and sanctions against responsible DPWH officials.
4. Pursue Legal Action – Administrative and criminal charges may be filed if evidence shows collusion or gross negligence.
Chairman Ceniza emphasized that this case highlights the importance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to impose a lifetime ban on anomalous and negligent contractors:
“The Filipino people suffer twice—first, when public funds are misused through corruption, and second, when failed projects collapse before serving their purpose. PACC stands firmly behind the President’s call: contractors who betray the public trust must never again be allowed to handle government projects.”
The Philippine Anti-Corruption Czar reiterates its unwavering commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency in public works:
- Communities must be protected from preventable disasters.
- Government funds must not be wasted on defective projects.
- Contractors and officials must be held accountable to ensure infrastructure serves the public good.
The people of Mawab deserve no less.