MANILA — Wawao Builders and SYMS Construction Trading—both linked to “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan—have been blacklisted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and permanently barred from bidding on government contracts.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon made the announcement during his inspection on September 4 of a ₱96 million flood control project in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan, awarded to and supposedly implemented by Wawao Builders.

He cited DPWH data indicating that the project was declared 100 percent completed in June 2024—well ahead of the 270-day schedule. Records also showed that Wawao Builders was paid in full by July 2024, a month later.

However, construction was still ongoing when Dizon visited the site. The foreman, barangay officials, and residents all confirmed that work had only begun three weeks prior, according to the DPWH chief.

“Ang tawag ko rito, patay na pero pinipilit buhayin kasi nabayaran na siya e noong last year. Sabi dito ng DPWH, 100% completed na ito last year,” the DPWH chief said, adding, “Pero siguro, three weeks ago, umiinit, nag-iimbestiga na ang Senado at Kongreso, nagalit na ang Pangulo, pinipilit buhayin yung patay. Wala na. Klarong-klaro ghost project ito.”

“I will also order the perpetual lifetime blacklisting of Wawao Builders from DPWH and all their possible affiliates,” Dizon told reporters in an interview.

“We will have them banned along with SYMS, which what [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] saw were ghost projects,” he added.

SYMS Construction Trading was behind the supposed ₱55 million “construction of reinforced concrete river wall” project in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan, which was allegedly completed in 2023 but was later discovered to be nonexistent.

The project site was inspected on August 20 by President Marcos Jr. himself, who expressed anger upon learning that no work had been done.

Dizon emphasized that all contractors involved in “ghost” flood control projects must face an “automatic perpetual ban” from the DPWH, and that cases would be filed against them. “Kahayupan na ito. Hindi tao ‘tong mga taong ‘to,” he commented.

In announcing the blacklisting, Dizon added that investigations would extend to other companies possibly linked to the contractors.

“Kung mahanap namin ang mga kumpanya na sila rin ang may-ari, pati yun ipapa-ban natin. We will also recommend the filing of charges with the Department of Justice against Wawao Builders and all the people involved here, both those who are clearly dummies and the real owners,” he stressed.

Dizon clarified that blacklisted contractors will still be required to complete ongoing projects.

“Kailangan din po nating tapusin. Pag-uusapan namin ng operations group kung paano ang magiging sistema, kung ano ang gagawin natin para matuloy ang mga proyektong ‘yun,” he said.

He added that these contractors must also reimburse the government for substandard and ghost flood control projects they falsely declared as completed.

“Anuman ang recourse ng gobyerno para mabayaran nung mga contractor na ‘yun ang mga iniwanan nilang proyekto… ‘Di po tayo papayag na ganun-ganun lang. Kailangan contractor mismo ang sumagot niyan,” the DPWH chief declared.

Dizon also said he suspects that the Wawao Builders owner who appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee this week was merely a front. “Kitang-kita naman natin sa Senate Blue Ribbon, hindi makasagot. So kung ako kay Mr. Arevalo, ang advise ko sa kanya, I should just turn myself in right now kesa naman siya pa ang makulong dahil dito. E mukhang hindi naman talaga siya,” he said.

Discaya-Owned Firms Lose Licenses Over Alleged Bidding Scheme

Meanwhile, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) revoked the contractor licenses of nine construction companies owned and controlled by Pacifico “Curlee” II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya.

In Resolution No. 075, Series of 2025, issued on September 1, the PCAB cited Sarah Discaya’s admission of ownership of the nine companies, which had participated in government project bidding. The admission was made during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the same day.

The following companies had their licenses revoked:

• St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corporation
• Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corporation
• St. Timothy Construction Corporation
• Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corp.
• St. Matthew General Contractor & Development Corporation
• Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor, Inc.
• YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply, Inc.
• Way Maker OPC
• Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.

The PCAB stated that Discaya’s admission “establishes a scheme of joint or multiple bidding participation designed to influence the outcome of public bidding, manipulate results and corner public projects thereby undermining transparency, fairness, and competition in violation of procurement laws and licensing requirements.”

It added that “the continued accreditation of these corporations is inimical to public interest, industry integrity, and government procurement transparency.”

Copies of the resolution were furnished to the DPWH, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), local government units, and other concerned agencies.

The matter will also be endorsed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) “for further determination of criminal liability, if warranted, under the Revised Penal Code and procurement laws,” said the PCAB.

📷 DPWH