Nabunturan, Davao de Oro – September 9, 2025 — The Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) confirmed the collapse of around 60 meters of the ₱57.2-million flood-control project along the Pagtulian River in Barangay Bukal, Nabunturan, raising serious questions on government infrastructure quality and oversight.
The project, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Davao de Oro 1st District Engineering Office and completed in March 2023, was designed to shield the riverbank and protect the newly built Bukal Bridge from erosion and scouring. It was undertaken by a joint venture between Legacy Construction Corporation and Double J Construction & Supply, and had received a “Very Satisfactory” Construction Performance Evaluation System (CPES) rating of 92.66%.
Despite its high evaluation, PACC field validation revealed visible structural failures, including displaced slabs, cracks, exposed reinforcement bars, scouring at the toe line, and inadequate drainage measures. Residents alerted authorities after noticing the collapse, fearing further deterioration could compromise the integrity of Bukal Bridge—a vital transport link for local communities.
In response, Double J Construction has started on-site repairs, including re-barring, overlaying, and patching. However, significant portions of the structure remain unstable.
PACC Chairman Dr. Louie F. Ceniza said the incident underscores broader issues of accountability in public works.
“This is not just a collapse of concrete; it is a collapse of public trust. The Filipino people deserve infrastructure that lasts—not projects that fail within two years despite being rated very satisfactory,” Ceniza stressed.
He added that all repairs must be fully shouldered by the contractor under the defects liability clause of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), with close monitoring from both DPWH and PACC.
PACC Recommendations
- Full Technical Audit – A comprehensive investigation, including as-built plan compliance and materials testing.
- Contractor Accountability – Mandatory contractor-funded repairs under RA 9184.
- Community Protection – Immediate mitigation measures to safeguard Bukal Bridge and nearby residents.
- Independent Oversight – Inclusion of Project ID 22LA0121 in PACC’s priority audit list for Region XI, in coordination with COA and DPWH Central Office.
What was once touted as a protective structure for Bukal Bridge is now being cited as a cautionary tale of how weak implementation and lax oversight can put infrastructure—and public trust—in jeopardy.
PACC vowed to continue pursuing corruption cases, ghost projects, and substandard construction nationwide, urging DPWH and local governments to uphold the highest standards of transparency and integrity in public spending.