THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has formally filed complaints against eight contractor-licensees implicated in a massive flood control projects corruption scandal. The move comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed in August that a small group of contractors had cornered a significant portion of flood control contracts.
In a statement released today, the DTI announced that it is exercising its regulatory authority under Executive Order No. 913 (series of 1983) and other relevant trade and industry laws. The complaints allege potential violations of construction industry regulations due to the contractors’ reported involvement in irregular flood control projects.
The eight contractors facing charges are among the top 15 contractors identified by President Marcos as having secured 20% of the P545-billion worth of flood control contracts. These contractors are:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Centerways Construction & Development Inc.
- Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp.
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corporation
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told GMA News Online that the complaints have been filed with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board-Monitoring and Enforcement Division (PCAB-MED). The MED is responsible for investigating non-compliance by contractors and enforcing construction industry regulations.
The DTI emphasized that the filing of these complaints allows the department to take immediate preventive actions, including suspending licenses and implementing other necessary measures while investigations are underway. This is to ensure the law is upheld and the public is protected.
“The DTI will not allow any contractor to undermine the safety and quality of our nation’s infrastructure,” said Roque. “Every project must reflect competence, honesty, and compliance with standards. These actions send a clear message that only those who build with integrity have a place in the Philippine construction industry.”
In addition to the initial eight, the DTI announced that formal complaints are also being prepared against another eight contractors for their alleged participation in the flood control project anomalies. These include:
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply Inc.
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Sunwest Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
- SYMS Construction Trading
- Wawao Builders Corp.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction and Supplies Corporation
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
Seven of these, excluding SYMS Construction, are the remaining members of the top 15 contractors identified by the President.
Roque stated that this action is part of the DTI’s ongoing commitment to ensuring compliance with the law and promoting honesty and fair competition within the construction industry.
The DTI’s Fact-Finding Team, in coordination with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), continues to investigate other contractor-licensees to maintain integrity and transparency in public works, in accordance with the President’s directive.
