MANILA, Philippines — Former Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez revealed on Tuesday that all Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects in Bulacan from 2019 to 2025 were substandard due to poor planning, corruption, and lack of proper monitoring.
Hernandez, questioned by Senator Bam Aquino during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, said that all projects under their office failed to meet design specifications, including flood control structures, buildings, roads, classrooms, hospitals, bridges, and streetlights.
“None of the projects matched the planned specifications. Every project had a ‘percentage’ allocation but none were properly executed,” he said.
When asked if any projects were completed without irregularities or met design standards, Hernandez responded, “None, Your Honor. None.”
The period in question spans 2019, when Henry Alcantara assumed office as District Engineer, through 2025. Hernandez alleged that during this six-year period, no project met its intended design or purpose. He also noted that street lighting projects were overpriced.
Hernandez confirmed that these irregularities occurred under the supervision of Joseph Bernardo, with Alcantara serving as district engineer.
Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, present during the hearing, admitted he had no knowledge of these issues, emphasizing that monitoring reports were supposed to be submitted by the regional office at every phase of construction.
“This is the first time I have heard about all these irregularities in the district engineering office,” he said.
