Ten officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office in Bulacan have been kicked out of their posts and placed on “floating status” as the agency digs deep into alleged ghost projects in the province, Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed Friday.
This shake-up came after reports exposed questionable projects in multiple districts, which Bonoan himself admitted during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing earlier this week.
Speaking in a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bonoan clarified that the officials were not outright fired.
“They were not terminated. They’re on floating status for the time being,” he said.
For the past three weeks, the DPWH regional office has been running the district following the purge.
Among those relieved were former district engineer Henry Alcantara and his successor Brice Hernandez. Interestingly, Alcantara had earlier been recommended for promotion as assistant regional director of DPWH Region 4-A.
Bonoan stressed the recommendation came before his removal from post.
“It actually went through the process… his qualifications. He was recommended because he applied,” Bonoan explained.
The axed officials, along with contractors allegedly tied to the bogus projects, now face looming sanctions. Bonoan said he already issued a memorandum ordering them to explain their side—failure to convince will mean cases filed.
He warned that the purge may not end with just ten names.
“More officials could be relieved once the final report is out,” Bonoan said.