Mawab, Davao de Oro – September 2, 2022 — The Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has sounded the alarm over the collapse of a newly constructed flood-control project in Barangay Poblacion, Mawab, Davao de Oro, calling it a blatant betrayal of public trust and a textbook case of substandard work.
Led by Chairman Doc. Louie F. Ceniza, PhD, and Board of Trustees member Allan Japor, the PACC conducted an on-site inspection of the river revetment built by Legacy Construction Corporation after residents filed multiple complaints regarding the project’s poor quality and failure.
The inspection revealed glaring defects: both sides of the structure had already collapsed, large sections were washed out, and non-collapsed portions displayed cracks and sinkhole-like formations. The revetment, which had only recently been completed, failed to withstand flood conditions, raising immediate concerns about the safety of Mawab residents.
“This project represents millions of pesos in public funds, yet it has already failed the people it was supposed to protect,” Ceniza declared. “The collapse of a newly finished structure is a clear sign of substandard work and negligence. This is not just an engineering failure—it is a betrayal of public trust.”
Residents expressed fear that the entire revetment could be swept away with the next flood, warning that their community faces heightened risk of disaster while taxpayers’ money goes to waste. They also voiced skepticism that the contractor, Legacy Construction Corporation—tagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the country’s most problematic contractor—would assume accountability.
BOT member Japor echoed these concerns, saying, “The people of Mawab deserve protection, not danger. If this revetment collapses entirely, it will not only waste government resources but also put lives and livelihoods at risk.”
In response, PACC outlined immediate measures:
- Recommend a technical audit of the project to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including soil, structural, and hydrological assessments.
- Compel Legacy Construction to repair the collapsed sections at its own expense under its warranty obligations.
- Recommend sanctions and blacklisting if negligence and substandard work are confirmed.
- Pursue administrative and criminal charges against responsible contractors and officials if complicity is established.
Ceniza stressed that this case underscores President Marcos Jr.’s directive to impose a lifetime ban on anomalous contractors. “The Filipino people suffer twice: first, when funds are stolen through corruption, and second, when failed projects expose them to disasters. We will not allow the same names to reappear in government projects, endangering communities year after year,” he said.
The PACC reiterated its commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency in public works, emphasizing that public infrastructure must genuinely serve the people.
“The people of Mawab must not be left unprotected against future floods. Government funds must not be wasted on projects that collapse before they can serve their purpose. Contractors and officials must be held to account,” Ceniza concluded.