Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has confirmed that the DPWH will submit its official manifestation regarding anomalous flood control projects in Cebu province within this week. The announcement came during a press conference on Monday, February 16, 2026, where Dizon revealed ongoing investigations into similar irregularities across multiple regions.
High-Profile Individuals Named in Previous Submissions
Dizon disclosed that the DPWH has already submitted manifestations to the Office of the Ombudsman concerning questionable flood control projects in Bulacan and Davao Occidental. These submissions reportedly include names of "high-profile individuals" involved in the alleged irregularities.
"I just don't want to preempt our discussion with the Ombudsman; they will be the ones to announce it. But we added some names. There are high-profile individuals. I think Bulacan and Davao Occidental," Dizon stated during the press briefing.
Contractor Faces Preliminary Investigation
In a separate development, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya will undergo preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman. Discaya has been impleaded by the DPWH in connection with irregularities in Davao Occidental flood mitigation projects, where his wife Sarah was previously implicated.
"The affidavits of several individuals stated that Curlee Discaya has beneficial ownership...or the one exercising control in the companies involved in the Davao Occidental project," Clavano explained.
Clavano further clarified the concept of beneficial ownership: "When you say beneficial ownership, either they're the ones that sign on behalf of the corporations even if their names are not on company papers, or they are the ones giving orders to the company employees, exercising dominion over the company. So even if their names are not in company papers, they are the ultimate beneficial owners of the company."
Ghost Project Uncovered in Davao Occidental
The investigation stems from a P96.5 million "ghost" flood control project in Davao Occidental for which Sarah Discaya was arrested on graft and malversation charges. Although declared completed and fully paid in 2022, the project was found to be non-existent during a September 2025 inspection by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Metro Cebu Expressway Completion Deadline Set
Meanwhile, Secretary Dizon has committed to completing the long-delayed Metro Cebu Expressway Segment 3A by June 2026. The project, which began in 2017, has faced significant funding challenges over its eight-year duration.
"This has been ongoing for eight years, since 2017 when it started. We are going to complete Segment 3A after eight years, by June 2026," Dizon affirmed.
The DPWH chief highlighted the human impact of the delayed infrastructure, noting that a major Japanese factory employing 4,000 Cebuanos has been severely affected by the unfinished road. "They struggle, especially during the rainy season because much of the road is unpaved and they can't pass through. They've been like this for years," Dizon emphasized.
Dizon attributed the persistent delays to piecemeal funding approaches that have plagued the project. "They say funding is piecemeal; the same problems repeat over and over, and that's why it doesn't get finished," he concluded, underscoring the need for more consistent infrastructure investment strategies.
