Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nTaM29b75qY" title="&#x27;Hayop ang gumawa dito!&#x27; Dizon nagalit sa Wawao Builders flood control project sa Bulacan" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways said Thursday it was “permanently” blacklisting Wawao Builders Corp., one of the government&#x27;s <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/a-deeper-look-into-marcos-s-list-of-top-flood-control-contractors-0037">top contractors for flood-control projects.</a></p><p>DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon made the announcement during the inspection of an alleged ghost flood control project worth over P96 million and located in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan.</p><p>Based on DPWH data, the project was declared 100-percent completed in June 2024—which was even ahead of the 270-day schedule. Records also showed that the contractor, Wawao Builders, was paid in full in July 2024 or a month after.</p><p>But when Dizon visited the site this morning, construction was still ongoing. The foreman, barangay officials, and even residents all said that work only commenced three weeks ago.</p><p>Dizon suspects that the contractor was pressured to act amid the flood control controversy.</p><p>“Klarong-klaro na ghost project ito pero dahil lang sa mga pangyayari, hinahabol… Siguro three weeks ago umiinit, nag-iimbestiga na ang Senado, nag-iimbestiga na ang Kongreso, nagalit na ang pangulo, pinipilit buhayin yung patay,” he said.</p><p>Dizon said that Wawao Builders, along with SYMS Construction Trading, are now considered perpetually blacklisted from the DPWH over these ghost flood control projects.</p><p>Cases will also be filed against them.</p><p>“Kahayupan na ito. Hindi tao ‘tong mga taong ‘to,” said Dizon.</p><p>Dizon said they would investigate and go after other companies that are possibly linked to these contractors.</p><p>“Kung mahanap namin ang mga kumpanya na sila rin ang may-ari, pati yun papa-ban natin. We will also recommend the filing of charges with the Department of Justice against Wawao Builders and all the people involved here, both those who are clearly dummies and the real owners,” he added.</p><p>Dizon suspects the Wawao Builder owner who faced the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing this week was just a front.</p><p>“Kitang-kita naman natin sa senate blue ribbon, hindi makasagot. So kung ako kay Mr. Arevalo, ang advise ko sa kanya, I should just turn myself in right now kesa naman siya pa ang makulong dahil dito. E mukhang hindi naman talaga siya,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHAT HAPPENED AT SENATE PROBE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Earlier this week, Wawao Builders president Mark Allan Arevalo invoked his right to self-incrimination during a Senate inquiry when asked whether the firm had &quot;ghost&quot; projects.</p><p>He instead read a pre-written response, saying: “Dahil may mga kasabihan na kakasuhan ang mga contractor ng DPWH po, at parte ng ulat ng Senado ang paghahain ng kaso laban sa resource person, ang payo ng ating mga abogado ay wag magsalita sa panahon na ito dahil anumang pahayag ko sa pagsisiyasat.”</p><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DET2AUmRmng" title="Hindi pagsagot ng Wawao Builders GM, ikinainis ng ilang senador | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Arevalo later acknowledged that Wawao Builders has flood-control projects in Metro Manila, particularly in Quezon City, and other provinces.</p><p>But he again refused to answer whether or not the firm has flood-control projects in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/3/ridon-baliwag-ghost-flood-control-project-more-than-just-negligence-2112">Bulacan</a>, which is in the spotlight for supposed ghost flood-control projects.</p><p>Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said Wawao Builders had 42 projects in Bulacan.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/2/bulacan-community-leaders-youth-urge-accountability-for-ghost-flood-control-projects-1647">Bulacan community leaders, youth urge accountability for &#x27;ghost&#x27; flood control projects</a></div><div><em>More details to follow.</em></div><div><strong>— With a report from Marilyn Cahatol, ABS-CBN News </strong></div>

<p>The Department of Public Works and Highways said Thursday it was “permanently” blacklisting Wawao Builders Corp., one of the government's top contractors for flood-control projects.</p>

The Department of Public Works and Highways said Thursday it was “permanently” blacklisting Wawao Builders Corp., one of the government's top contractors for flood-control projects.

DPWH ‘permanently’ blacklists Wawao Builders

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DPWH ‘permanently’ blacklists Wawao Builders

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 04, 2025 09:59 AM PHT

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Updated Sep 04, 2025 08:13 PM PHT

Read More:

Wawao Builders

DPWH

Vince Dizon

corruption

flood

flood control

baha

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