MANILA – The Commission on Audit (COA) has filed additional fraud audit reports with the Office of the Ombudsman after uncovering four non-existent flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.

The projects, with a combined value of more than ₱389 million, were implemented by Wawao Builders and the joint venture of TopNotch Catalyst Builders Inc. and One Frame Construction Inc.

In one case, COA said a flood control structure along Angat River in Plaridel, Bulacan, supposedly completed in June 2024, remained unfinished as of a September 10, 2025 inspection. Satellite images taken months earlier also showed no structure in the area.

Other projects flagged include slope protection works in Pandi and Bocaue, which COA inspectors found to be either nonexistent or mismatched with approved plans. In some instances, the sites already had existing structures prior to the official project start dates.

Auditors said DPWH officials and contractors could face charges for graft, malversation, and falsification of documents, in addition to violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act and COA rules. Those named in the reports include District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, several DPWH engineers, and officers of the construction firms.

COA Chairperson Jose Cordoba earlier ordered a special audit of all DPWH flood control projects in Bulacan covering July 1, 2022 to May 30, 2025. The commission said more fraud audit reports are expected to be filed with the Ombudsman as the probe continues.