Surigao City, Surigao del Norte – September 18, 2025. The Philippine Anti-Corruption Czar (PACC), led by Chairman Doc. Louie F. Ceniza, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Caraga Regional Office, headed by Regional Director Atty. Sally Hans C. Barbaso, conducted a joint ocular inspection of the ₱96.5 million Kinabutan Flood Control Project, which collapsed shortly after completion in December 2021.
Joining the inspection were PACC President VADM Andres Visaya (PCRGA) and personnel from NBI Caraga, underscoring efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of public funds.
The project, implemented under Contract ID 21NG0044 and awarded to JMT Construction, was declared completed on December 15, 2021. However, within days, nearly 300 meters of the newly built flood control structure gave way during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, heightening flooding risks for nearby communities.
In a coordination meeting, District Engineer Dhojie Morales of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Surigao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office confirmed that his office assessed several infrastructure projects affected by Typhoon Odette, including the Kinabutan Flood Control. He reported that 224 meters of the structure were damaged, attributing the collapse to scouring of the riverbed that caused the steel sheet piles to tilt. The DPWH initially categorized the incident as a force majeure case.
The PACC, a volunteer-driven national organization composed of professionals from various fields, provides independent monitoring, technical evaluation, and investigative support to bolster the government’s anti-corruption initiatives. The inspection in Surigao is part of its broader mission to safeguard public funds and ensure accountability in infrastructure projects nationwide.