New DPWH-Bulacan execs ordered to complete projects

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio Dizon has ordered newly-appointed officials in Bulacan to finish long-delayed dike projects. The directive follows the discovery that some flood control works, including one in Barangay Bulusan, were falsely declared complete. Dizon personally inspected the site after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. uncovered irregularities during a surprise visit in July 2025.

The unfinished dike in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit, became the focus of attention after Typhoon Crising caused severe flooding in the area. President Marcos’ inspection revealed that the project, supposed to protect communities along the Pampanga River, had been marked as finished despite being incomplete. This finding triggered a nationwide review of all flood control projects over the past three years, as the Bulusan dike was the first confirmed 'ghost' project exposed in that period.

Dizon has now placed Kenneth Edward Fernando as Officer-in-Charge District Engineer and Paul Genar Lumabas as Assistant District Engineer for Bulacan’s First District Engineering Office. Their top priority is completing the Bulusan dike, which Dizon stressed must be finished ahead of other flood control works in the province. He also warned the new officials against corruption, urging them to reject the dishonest practices of their predecessors. To ensure progress, Dizon confirmed that funds for the dike’s completion will come from the agency’s savings in the 2025 national budget. He reminded the officials that integrity must guide their work, as public trust depends on delivering real results.

The Bulusan dike will now be fast-tracked under the new leadership, with funding already secured. The nationwide investigation into flood control projects remains ongoing, while the government pushes to prevent further cases of misreported infrastructure. Completion of the dike is expected to strengthen flood defences for communities along the Pampanga River.