Former DPWH Engineer Admits to Certifying ₱55M ‘Ghost Project’ in Baliwag
Henry Alcantara, ex‑engineer for Bulacan’s 1st district, acknowledged issuing a certificate of completion for a flood control project that does not exist.
In a House probe held on Tuesday, former Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara confirmed that he issued a certificate of completion for a ₱55 million flood control project in Baliwag, only to later admit the project was a ghost project.
Admission Amid House Flood Control Inquiry
During questioning by Manila Representative Joel Chua, chair of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Alcantara conceded that the document was based on his team's final inspection report, not personal verification of the project site’s completion.
Pressed on whether he inspected the site personally, Alcantara stated: “Meron naman po akong iniinspect, Your Honor,” but admitted he did not do so in every case.
Inspector Reliance & Presumed Regularity
Alcantara clarified that his team was responsible for validating any defects before issuing a final report. Yet, Chua emphasized that such reliance is inadequate, pointing out that the certificate of completion triggers government payments to contractors. Without personal verification, Alcantara placed unjustified trust in paperwork alone.
Alcantara admitted, “Yes, Sir… I rely on the signatures of my personnel… There is a presumed regularity of the documents presented to me, Your Honor.”
Ghost Project Confirmed
When Surigao del Sur Representative Romeo Momo Sr. directly asked if the Baliwag project was a ghost project, Alcantara responded, “I think yes, Your Honor.” On August 20, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. visited Barangay Piel and found no signs of the reinforced concrete riverwall project, despite official records stating completion of 220 meters of work worth ₱55 million.
“Extremely, more than disappointed… I’m actually… getting very angry… 220 meters, ₱55 million completed, but nothing was done. Not even a single day of work… the flood remains.” - President Marcos
Accountability Under Scrutiny
Further probing revealed Alcantara as the final approving authority for the contractor’s payment. He admitted that approval flows from the implementation section, to the accountant, then to himself as the final signatory.
Changing Focus of the Inquiry
The hearing also spotlighted broader budget concerns, as Independent bloc members raised issues about pork barrel allocations for infrastructure under the 2025 national budget. However, amid procedural tussles, Rep. Janette Garin urged the committee to keep the focus on oversight and preventing future ghost projects, while Rep. Toby Tiangco pressed for broader budget-related investigations.
Ultimately, the committee reaffirmed its focus: fighting ghost infrastructure projects and demanding accountability.
Takeaways
- Issuing a certificate of completion without verifying project completion can facilitate phantom disbursements.
- Certifying engineers must conduct or at least corroborate physical inspections.
- Institutional mechanisms must ensure proper oversight before taxpayer funds are released.
Questions for the Public
- Should site inspections become mandatory before releasing completion certificates and payments?
- How can oversight agencies reinforce accountability in infrastructure projects?
- What role should legislators and civil society play in safeguarding public funds?
We invite readers to share insights and engage in the discourse on infrastructure integrity.