Screengrab from DPWH

Infrastructure Secretary Vince Dizon has taken a decisive step in response to President Marcos’ directive to ensure accountability and prevent irregularities in government projects. Speaking at a briefing, Dizon announced two major actions: the implementation of new safeguards and the issuance of a request for a lookout order against several individuals connected to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its partner contractors.

“Ia-anunsyo na namin yan at i-implement na natin yan bago tayo maging kampante na susunod ang lahat sa direktiba ng presidente na hindi na po pwede itong mga nangyari nung nakaraan,” Dizon said, emphasizing that stricter measures will be in place as early as Monday or Tuesday to prevent a repeat of past controversies.

The first measure involves setting up additional safeguards within DPWH to ensure compliance with anti-corruption directives. The second, which has drawn significant attention, is the formal request Dizon signed asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to place certain individuals under a lookout bulletin order. This list includes DPWH officers and heads of construction companies allegedly linked to questionable transactions, as flagged by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and House investigations.

Among those included in the request are senior DPWH officials such as OIC Assistant Regional Director Henry C. Alcantara, OIC District Engineer Bryce Erickson D. Hernandez, OIC Assistant District Engineer J.P.D. Mendoza, Engineer Ernesto C. Galang of the Planning and Design Section, Engineer John Michael E. Ramos of the Construction Section, and Engineer Norberto L. Santos from the Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section. Also named were Engineer Jaime R. Hernandez from the Maintenance Section, Flora Rin Y. Simbulan of the Administrative Section, Juanito C. Mendoza from Finance, and Engineer Benedict J. Matawaran from Procurement.

The list extends beyond government personnel and includes several private contractors. These include Alex H. Abidillo, President of Legacy Construction Corporation; Cezarah C. Discaya and Pacifico F. Discaya of Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation; Maria Roma Angigin D. Remando, Owner and Manager of St. Timothy Construction Corporation; Alan B. Quirante, Proprietor of QM Builders; Ernie G. Bagau, Proprietor of EGB Construction Corporation; and Yumir S. Villanueva, President of Top-Notch Catalyst Builders Inc. Other names on the list are Aderma Angeli D. Alcazar, President and CEO of SunWest Inc.; Edgar S. Acosta, President of Hightone Construction and Development Corporation; Wilfredo M. Natividad, General Manager of 888 Construction and Supply Inc.; Romeo C. Miranda of Royal Crown Monarch Construction and Supply Corp.; Alan V. Arevalo of Wow Wow Builders; Marjorie O. Samidan of M.G. Samidan Construction; Luis Ro R. Tiki, President of L.R. Tiki Builders Inc.; and Ryan Willie, Proprietor of Road Edge Trading and Development Services.

Dizon clarified that this is not a final list and more names could be added in the coming days as investigations continue. He explained that the list was based on the findings of the ongoing inquiries conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the relevant House committees. Copies of the request have been sent to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado to ensure that the individuals named will not be able to leave the country while investigations are ongoing.

“This is all part of the President’s directives to hold people to account and to make sure that the department is cleansed from these people who have unfortunately not taken care of the people’s money,” Dizon said.