The ocular visit was prompted by widespread complaints from residents and road users regarding the newly finished flood-control structure constructed by Legacy Construction Corporation.
During the inspection, the PACC team confirmed:
1. Both sides of the revetment have collapsed, with major sections already washed out.
2. Non-collapsed segments show cracks and lake-hole formations, clear indicators of structural weakness and imminent failure.
3. The project, which was only recently completed, has already proven incapable of withstanding flood conditions, raising urgent safety concerns for the people of Mawab.
The people of Mawab expressed grave alarm during the visit, stressing that:
1. With the first collapse already evident, the next flooding event could wash out the entire revetment, causing greater destruction and wasting public funds.
2. They fear that the contractor, Legacy Construction Corporation—already identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as No. 1 in the list of the top 15 problematic contractors in the country—will abandon responsibility and leave the government and taxpayers to shoulder the burden of repair.
According to Chairman Ceniza, the collapse of this flood-control project is nothing short of economic sabotage:
“This project represents millions of pesos in public funds, yet it has already failed the people it was supposed to protect. The collapse of a newly finished structure is a clear sign of substandard work and negligence. This is not just an engineering failure—it is a betrayal of public trust.”
BOT Allan Japor, who joined the inspection, echoed the sentiments of the residents:
“The people of Mawab deserve protection, not danger. If this revetment collapses entirely, it will not only waste government resources but also put lives and livelihoods at risk.”
The PACC will immediately:
1. Recommend to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon the conduct of a technical audit of the project, including soil tests, structural integrity checks, and hydrological assessments.
2. Demand that Legacy Construction Corporation repair and reconstruct the collapsed sections at its own expense, under its defects liability and warranty obligations.
3. Endorse sanctions and blacklisting if negligence and substandard work are confirmed.
4. Pursue administrative and criminal charges against all responsible officials and contractors if proven complicit.
Chairman Ceniza emphasized that this case underscores the importance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a lifetime ban on anomalous contractors:
“The Filipino people suffer twice: first, when funds are stolen through corruption, and second, when failed projects expose them to disasters. The PACC stands firmly behind the President’s call to permanently ban corrupt and negligent contractors. We will not allow the same names to appear in government projects, endangering communities year after year.”
The PACC reiterates its commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency in public works:
1. The people of Mawab must not be left unprotected against future floods.
2. Government funds must not be wasted on projects that collapse before they can serve their purpose.
3. Contractors and officials must be held to account to ensure that public infrastructure truly serves the public good.
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