MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has requested the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBO) for 26 individuals allegedly involved in irregularities surrounding flood control projects across the country. Among those named are DPWH Assistant Regional Director Henry Alcantara and contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya.

“I’ve just signed a request to Justice Secretary [Jesus Crispin Remulla], copy furnished to Bureau of Immigration, for a lookout order for these individuals listed,” Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said. The letter, dated September 2, was filed on September 3.

“An investigation is being conducted on several DPWH officials and key officers of construction companies allegedly involved in ghost projects and/or substandard construction of flood control projects,” Dizon stated in his letter, adding, “The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the current investigations to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.”

“In addition to the issuance of ILBO, may we further request that the Bureau of Immigration be instructed to immediately inform the DPWH and other law enforcement agencies of any information regarding the impending travel of these individuals,” the letter further stated.

An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) is a precautionary directive issued by the Department of Justice, instructing immigration officers to verify whether the subjects have any pending arrest warrants or legal violations, and to monitor their travel if they attempt to leave the country. However, it does not automatically prohibit them from departing.

The Discayas reportedly own nine construction companies, two of which—Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corp. and St. Gerrard Construction and Development Corp.—are among the top 15 contractors identified by Marcos as having secured the largest share of flood control projects worth P100 billion.

Collectively, the Discayas’ companies are said to have won over 400 government contracts totaling more than P30 billion.

Alcantara, formerly the District Engineer of DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office since 2019, approved several flood control projects in his jurisdiction, including a supposed P55-million reinforced concrete river wall in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan, which was later discovered to be a “ghost project” or nonexistent.

At least two other projects in Bulacan—undertaken by St. Timothy Construction (also owned by the Discayas) and Wawao Builders—have also allegedly been found to be substandard and ineffective in mitigating floods.

Alcantara was serving as DPWH Assistant Regional Director before being relieved amid the ongoing investigations.

The individuals named in the ILBO request include:

DPWH Officials

• OIC – Assistant Regional Director Henry C. Alcantara
• OIC – District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez
• OIC – Assistant District Engineer Jaypee D. Mendoza
• Engineer Ernesto C. Galang, Planning and Design Section
• Engineer John Michael E. Ramos, Construction Section
• Engineer Norberto L. Santos, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section
• Engineer Jaime R. Hernandez, Maintenance Section
• Floralyn Y. Simbulan, Administrative Section
• Juanito C. Mendoza, Finance Section
• Engineer Benedict J. Matawaran, Procurement Unit

Contractors and Company Officials

• Alex H. Abelido, President, Legacy Construction Corporation
• Cezarah C. Discaya and Pacifico F. Discaya, President and AMO, respectively, Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp.
• Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando, Owner/Manager, St. Timothy Construction Corporation
• Allan B. Quirante, Owner/Proprietor, QM Builders
• Erni G. Baggao, Owner/Proprietor, EGB Construction Corporation
• Eumir S. Villanueva, President, Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Inc.
• Lawrence R. Lubiano, President, Centerways Construction and Development, Inc.
• Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar, President/CEO, Sunwest Inc.
• Edgar S. Acosta, President, Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp.
• Wilfredo M. Natividad, Owner/General Manager, Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
• Romeo C. Miranda, President/AMO, Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
• Mark Allan V. Arevalo, General Manager, Wawao Builders
• Marjorie O. Samidan, Authorized Managing Officer, MG Samidan Construction
• Luisito R. Tiqui, President, L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
• Ryan Willie D. Uy, Proprietor, Road Edge Trading & Development Services

Bidding for Locally Funded Public Works Suspended

Dizon also announced a nationwide pause on bidding for locally funded projects at the national, regional, and district levels.

The suspension, he explained, aims to allow a thorough review of ongoing projects and a cleanup of the agency, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive. “Use his own words, he (Marcos) doesn’t want the people’s money and projects to be thrown into the river again,” Dizon added.

📷 DPWH