BACOLOD City – This city’s Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has called on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan to resign following the discovery of an allegedly completed but unbuilt flood control project in Bulacan.
“Mahiya ka naman. Resign now,” Benitez said in a statement posted on his social media account.
The lawmaker’s call came after an inspection of a P55-million river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan revealed that no actual construction had taken place despite DPWH records showing the project as completed and fully paid.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed anger upon learning of the situation.
“Walang ginawa kahit isang araw, hindi nagtrabaho. Kahit puntahan niyo, wala kayong makikita na kahit ano,” the President said, adding that the negligence was “nakakapinsala pa sa mga local residents.”
Marcos further stressed, “I’m not disappointed, I’m angry.”
Benitez argued that the incident demonstrated a clear failure of leadership.
“The principle of command responsibility demands that the secretary step down. If something as basic as this has been overlooked, who knows how many more critical projects are in a similar state?” he said.
The solon warned that such lapses pose a serious danger to communities that rely on flood control structures for their safety.
He added that whoever succeeds Bonoan should push through with a comprehensive audit of all flood control projects to identify questionable and substandard infrastructure.
According to DPWH documents, the 220-meter structure in Baliuag was supposed to begin construction last February. However, despite full payment, there has been no evidence of work at the site./PN
