Camille Naredo

Commission on Audit, Quezon City.  Jonathan  Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Commission on Audit, Quezon City.

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – The Commission on Audit (COA) has filed four more fraud audit reports with the Ombudsman for flood control projects in Bulacan  worth around P275 million, citing its &quot;unauthorized relocations and questionable accomplishments.&quot;In a statement, the COA said it filed the fraud audit reports on Friday, noting these were projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and were supposedly awarded to SYMS Construction Trading and Wawao Builders.Among the key findings of the report include ghost projects,  unauthorized relocation of project sites, &quot;severe&quot; documentation deficiencies, and payments for pre-existing structures based on state auditors&#x27; physical inspections, satellite imagery, and geotagged photography. <div> </div><div>DISPUTED PROJECTS </div>One of the disputed projects include the construction of Reinforced Concrete Flood Control Structure at Barangay Santa Monica (Purok 6 to Purok 7), Hagonoy, Bulacan that has a total contract cost of P67,549,830.35 – a project awarded to SYMS Construction. COA said it found no flood control structure at the project site &quot;despite the project being reported as 100% completed as of June 11, 2024 and fully paid as of June 19, 2024.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/20/coa-flags-p325-m-flood-control-projects-in-bulacan-over-alleged-irregularities-1923">READ: COA flags P325-M flood control projects in Bulacan over alleged irregularities</a></div>The commission also noted &quot;unauthorized&quot; changes in project location and documentation deficiencies such as absence of as-built plans and other required supporting documents.This, the report said, casts doubt on the validity of the reported accomplishments and payments. COA also flagged another construction of Riverbank Protection Structure at Barangay Malibong Bata, Pandi, Bulacan worth P39,598,050.46. This was also awarded to SYMS Construction Trading. Just like the first project, state auditors said the structure identified by DPWH officials was built in a different location compared to the site approved on the documents &quot;without any approved authority for relocation.&quot;&quot;Structures found at both the approved and identified locations could not be conclusively attributed to the project. Numerous critical documents were also missing, casting doubt on the validity of reported accomplishment and payments,&quot; the report read. Aside from these, state auditors also noted irregularities in the construction of Riverbank Protection Structure (Phase IV) at Barangay San Roque, Baliuag, Bulacan which was awarded to Wawao Builders. This has a total contract cost of P72,374,388.95 and was allegedly constructed in a different project site indicated in the approved bid plans &quot;without approved authority.&quot; In its findings, the COA said the structure carried markings indicating it was part of a different project. COA further reported overlapping project locations with another flood control contract, raising concerns over possible duplication. Lastly, state auditors also flagged the construction of a flood control structure along Angat River, Lumang Bayan Section, Plaridel, Bulacan worth P96,499,893.19 and also awarded to Wawao Builders. The commission said flood control structures &quot;already existed at the project site&quot; at least 90 days before the effectivity of the contract, &quot;based on historical satellite imagery and on-site inspection.&quot;&quot;The existing structures bore markings corresponding to different contract IDs and materially differed in design from those specified in the approved Detailed Engineering Design Plans and as-built plans,&quot; the report read. &quot;Despite this, the project was reported as 100% completed within only sixty-five (65) days from contract effectivity,&quot; it added.Based on these details, COA said its probe &quot;revealed recurring indicators of systemic misuse of public funds,&quot; the report read. &quot;COA emphasized that these filings reinforce its commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that flood-control funds reach the communities they are meant to protect,&quot; it added. Officials involved in the questioned transactions may face charges for graft and corrupt practices under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as for malversation and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code. State auditors also cited possible violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001.The agency added that additional reports may be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman as the audit investigation progresses.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has filed four more fraud audit reports with the Ombudsman for flood control projects in Bulacan worth around P275 million, citing its "unauthorized relocations and questionable accomplishments."

The Commission on Audit (COA) has filed four more fraud audit reports with the Ombudsman for flood control projects in Bulacan worth around P275 million, citing its "unauthorized relocations and questionable accomplishments."

COA flags P275-M flood control projects in Bulacan over 'unauthorized relocations, questionable accomplishments'

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COA flags P275-M flood control projects in Bulacan over 'unauthorized relocations, questionable accomplishments'

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 14, 2026 01:34 PM PHT

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Commission on Audit

flood control

COA

Bulacan

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