Camille Naredo

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan attends the ceremonial commissioning of the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 (NBAQ4) at the reservoir in La Mesa Dam in Quezon City on January 27, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan attends the ceremonial commissioning of the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 (NBAQ4) at the reservoir in La Mesa Dam in Quezon City on January 27, 2023. The new aqueduct, will convey up to 1,000 million liters of water per day (MLD), paves the way for the inspection, assessment, and subsequent rehabilitation of three other existing aqueducts, to help ensure continuous water supply for more than 7 million customers in the East Zone. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

MANILA WATER

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175411114175020230127-la mesa-aqueduct-inauguration-JC-0445.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan attends the ceremonial commissioning of the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 (NBAQ4) at the reservoir in La Mesa Dam in Quezon City on January 27, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan attends the ceremonial commissioning of the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 (NBAQ4) at the reservoir in La Mesa Dam in Quezon City on January 27, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan expressed willingness to take a leave of absence once the audit of the agency&#x27;s flood control projects ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address commences.</p><p>This was his response when asked for comment on Bacolod Lone District Representative Albee Benitez&#x27; call for Bonoan to go on leave while the investigation is underway. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/-mahiya-naman-kayo-marcos-order-probe-on-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1725">READ: Marcos orders probe on possible corruption in flood control projects</a></div><p>&quot;Out of <em>delicadeza</em>, and to help preserve the integrity of any inquiry, I respectfully urge the DPWH Secretary to take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing,&quot; the lawmaker said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.</p><p>&quot;This simple act of good faith will go a long way toward restoring public trust and ensuring that the process is impartial and credible,&quot; he added. </p><p>Speaking to reporters, Bonoan said that while he has no idea who will conduct the audit, he has no problems to go on leave.</p><p>&quot;Okay lang naman. I don&#x27;t know kung sino ang mag-o-audit. Okay lang. If it&#x27;s necessary, bakit hindi po,&quot; he said in an ambush interview at the launching of &quot;Bayanihan sa Estero Program&quot; in Pasig City Saturday, August 2. </p><p>He also noted that he will wait for the instructions of the president.</p><p>The DPWH chief added that he did not feel offended with the congressman&#x27;s call.</p><p>&quot;Baka may pinanggagalingan naman &#x27;yung suggestion niya. So we&#x27;ll look into that. But I&#x27;m at the pleasure of the president,&quot; he stated. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/-we-did-not-inherit-a-bed-of-roses-dpwh-admits-some-flood-control-projects-hastily-prepared-1112">READ: DPWH admits some flood control projects &#x27;hastily prepared&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;WALANG KAMING TINATAGO&#x27;</strong></div><p>When asked if he is confident with the impending audit of flood control projects, Bonoan said they have nothing to hide from the president. </p><p>&quot;Wala naman kaming tinatago kay presidente,&quot; he stated. </p><p>For now, the DPWH chief clarified that the audit has yet to begin as they are still waiting for Marcos Jr.&#x27;s instruction &quot;on how to go about it&quot;.</p><p>There is also no instruction yet whether to tap a third-party auditor for the review, according to Bonoan.</p><p>&quot;If the president will request an additional audit, then I think pwede namang joint audit between DPWH, Commission on Audit and civil society [groups],&quot; he said. </p><p>Bonoan vowed to submit to the president the list of flood control projects next week.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/who-s-really-in-charge-of-flood-control-mmda-explains-1805?obOrigUrl=true">READ: Who&#x27;s really in charge of flood control? MMDA explains</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABdh_R895dUDiyXi"></script>

<p>Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan expressed willingness to take a leave of absence once the audit of the agency's flood control projects ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address commences.</p>

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan expressed willingness to take a leave of absence once the audit of the agency's flood control projects ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address commences.

'Wala kaming tinatago kay presidente': DPWH chief Bonoan willing to go on leave 'if necessary' once flood projects audit starts

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'Wala kaming tinatago kay presidente': DPWH chief Bonoan willing to go on leave 'if necessary' once flood projects audit starts

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 02, 2025 01:13 PM PHT

|

Updated Aug 02, 2025 06:41 PM PHT

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Department of Public Works and Highways

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flood control projects

Manny Bonoan

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Albee Benitez

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