05/09/2025
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗣𝗪𝗛 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗣
The Office of the Sectoral Regents expresses concern over the state of some infrastructure projects undertaken in the University of the Philippines (UP) in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the past decade.
This concern comes in the wake of the recent heavy flooding inside the UP Diliman campus following torrential rains in Quezon City last weekend, and in light of explosive revelations in both the Senate and the House of Representatives regarding substandard, overpriced, and even ghost flood control projects carried out by private contractors in partnership with the DPWH throughout the country.
Our research shows that some of the private contractors tapped for UP infrastructure projects were also awarded multimillion-peso flood control projects by the DPWH. For instance, the Student Union Building (SUB), which houses several student institutions as well as the Office of the Sectoral Regents, was constructed by Devex Incorporated and N.B. Avila Construction (in a joint venture). These contractors figured in at least eight flood control projects in Cavite, where many areas, including Trece Martires, experienced severe flooding in recent months. N.B. Avila Construction alone, either independently or in joint ventures, carried out no less than 19 flood control projects in Cavite.
What raises our gravest concern is that the SUB itself, barely three years since its inauguration, is already showing signs of substandard construction. Faculty, staff, and students who use the building have witnessed leaking ceilings on almost all floors, causing heavy flooding in several levels of the structure during heavy rains. We have also experienced frequently malfunctioning elevators, and visible cracks on its concrete walls. These often disrupt the operations of student institutions and offices housed in the building. More importantly, though, they compromise our safety.
The UP administration must immediately investigate the sorry state of this new building and review the processes and safeguards by which DPWH entered into contracts with private contractors in UP projects. The University owes its constituents the assurance that public funds are used properly, and that structures inside the campus are safe, durable, and built in line with the highest standards.
We also urge the UP administration to review its current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DPWH, and to hold a public presentation on the status of all ongoing and completed infrastructure projects within UP so that these may be scrutinized openly.
Furthermore, we stand with the Filipino people in condemning the massive corruption in government flood control and other infrastructure projects. We call on the Marcos Jr. administration to make DPWH officials, complicit politicians and private contractors accountable. A full accounting of all infrastructure contracts entered into by the government is also in order. The Filipino people demand nothing less than systemic changes to end rampant corruption and the practice of bureaucrat capitalism in government.
Ron Dexter L. Clemente
Student Regent, UP System
Early Sol A. Gadong
Faculty Regent, UP System
Marie Theresa S. Alambra
Staff Regent, UP System
