The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has removed project staff and issued a formal apology after a security guard blocked the governor of Oriental Mindoro from inspecting collapsed flood control project.

DPWH Mimaropa Regional Director Gerald Pacanan dismissed a project engineer and other personnel assigned to a flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, following speculation about improper attitude.

The personnel changes came after Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor was prevented by a security guard from examining damaged infrastructure during a weekend inspection tour that revealed what he described as hollow concrete structures.

“Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa kaniya at sa buong mamamayan ng Mindoro dahil hindi po ‘yon dapat nangyari,” Pacanan said in an official statement, apologizing for the incident that occurred at a publicly-funded project site.

The confrontation occurred as Dolor attempted to inspect flood control works in Naujan that recently collapsed during heavy rains, exposing what officials described as substandard construction quality.

Pacanan said the agency formed a fact-finding team to investigate all flood control projects across Mimaropa region following Dolor’s allegations.

The probe will examine design specifications, materials used, and implementation standards.

“Kami ay seryoso sa mga alegasyon na ito at sisiguraduhin naming may mananagot kung mapapatunayang may naganap na anomalya,” Pacanan said, vowing accountability if irregularities are proven.

The DPWH official explained that replacing project personnel aims to prevent potential collusion between contractors and engineers, protecting public interests and ensuring proper use of government funds.

During his inspections, Dolor documented structures with thin concrete, hollow interiors, and inadequate reinforcement.

“Wala hong flood na mapipigilan nang ganitong klaseng gawa. Konting semento na nga lang, tinipid pa,” the governor said, noting that even minimal cement appeared to have been economized.

Flood control project failures have drawn scrutiny from Senator Rodante Marcoleta, with the Blue Ribbon Committee scheduled to begin hearings Tuesday examining billions of pesos worth of questionable infra projects nationwide.