P1.1 Billion Flood Control Projects in La Union, Pampanga Under Scrutiny

MANILA, Philippines — Over P773.77 million worth of flood control projects in La Union are being questioned after Typhoon Luis inundated parts of San Fernando. In Mexico, Pampanga, two flood control projects worth P359.37 million are facing scrutiny before the Office of the Ombudsman. Groups are urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Commission on Audit and other oversight agencies to investigate at least 19 flood control, drainage, slope protection, seawall and creek rehabilitation projects implemented between 2018 and 2025 in La Union. Projects with the biggest allocations were awarded to several contractors, including St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., owned by the detained Discaya couple. Another contractor, linked to anomalous flood control projects in La Union, is Silverwolves Construction Corp., reportedly owned by Reps. Eric and Edvic Yap. Among projects with the biggest allocations are a P144.75-million flood control structure in Barangay Pagdaraoan, a P144.6-million slope protection project from Barangay Sagayad to Sevilla and a P98.99-million slope protection project along Bato Creek. St. Gerrard handled the Bato Creek project in 2024. In Pampanga, criminal and administrative charges have been filed by a barangay official against former congressman Aurelio Gonzales Jr., members of his family and four Central Luzon public works officials. A.D. Gonzales Jr. Construction & Trading Co. Inc. reportedly won contracts in 2023 for a P94.55-million flood control project in Barangay Suclaban and a P264.82-million project in Barangay Culubasa. Due to substandard infrastructure, respondents are accused of plunder, graft and corruption, malversation and grave misconduct, among others. Video footage in 2023 and geotagged photographs dated July 30 are attached in the complaint filed by Terence Napao, chairman of Barangay Sto. Cristo and president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Mexico. Evidence shows erosion, damaged concrete and other defects in portions of the projects that could indicate poor workmanship or the use of substandard materials, Napao alleged. In 2023, Napao filed a complaint involving three flood control projects worth over P611 million. Gonzales has said the ombudsman dismissed the complaint for lack of merit. Respondents in Napao’s recent complaint are Gonzales, San Fernando Vice Mayor Brenz Gonzales, Pampanga Rep. Mica Gonzales, Michelin Gonzales, Zenaida Quiambao, former DPWH Central Luzon director Roseller Tolentino, Ignacio Evangelista, Anna Marie Tayag, Arthur Santos and unidentified John Does. – Ric Sapnu