By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The ₱289.4-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, cannot simply be repaired because correcting its structural deficiencies would require demolishing the existing structure, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon told the Sandiganbayan.
Dizon made the disclosure Wednesday while testifying before the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division in the graft case involving former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and several former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.
He said the project used steel sheet piles measuring only three meters, despite project specifications requiring 12-meter piles for structural support.
Dizon said he personally inspected the project in September 2025 and measured one of the sheet piles himself.
During questioning by lawyer Henecito Balasolia, counsel for former DPWH Region 4-B official Dennis Abagon, Dizon was asked whether the contractor, Sunwest Inc., could correct the deficiency without additional expense to the government.
The secretary initially said defects could ordinarily be rectified. But he clarified that the Naujan project was different because replacing the undersized piles would require dismantling the structure already built.
“Rectification would mean destroying the project and replacing every sheet pile,” Dizon told the court.
He also said he saw portions of the road dike that had sustained damage following heavy rains. Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor had earlier shown him some of the damaged sections.
The project, implemented by Sunwest, has become the subject of graft and malversation cases involving Co and former DPWH officials. Prosecutors have alleged that the project contained serious construction deficiencies.
Dizon said the government would continue presenting evidence in the cases pending before the Sandiganbayan.
ia/xf
