DPWH-11 denies post linking delay of project in Davao City to politics
The sign accused the Marcos and Romualdez administration of political pressure, which allegedly caused the delay of the project.
It also alleged that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) failed to address the road right-of-way issues, withheld the budget, and showed sluggish action from its legal office.
When GMA Regional TV One Mindanao visited the site on Saturday, August 2, 2025, no sign was found at the site.
In a statement, DPWH-Davao (DPWH-11) denied the claims made in the viral post and clarified that the project is not being politicized.
'The claim that the project is being delayed due to alleged political issues involving the current administration is false and misleading,' DPWH-11 said.
DPWH-11 said the Maa-Magtuod Flyover project has been fully funded since 2022, and the funds needed for the completion of the project have already been released.
It added that civil works are ongoing at 82.5 percent.
The agency explained that the project is facing minor concerns on road right-of-way involving a few properties and utilities. Most of these concerns have already been resolved while some are awaiting funds for settlement.
'As of now, four properties have been tagged as urgent for acquisition and are currently being processed by the office. The acquisition took time for these properties due to existing mortgage lien issues with their land titles. Yet, the office is actively coordinating with their respective mortgagee banks,' DPWH-11 added.
DPWH-11 also coordinated with the Davao Light and Power Company and telecommunication companies for the relocation of the poles affected.
DPWH-11 assured the public that the project remains a top priority.
The government has allocated more than P1.4 billion for the project. The construction began in 2021 and is expected to be finished by 2026.
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GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
DPWH-11 denies post linking delay of project in Davao City to politics
A social media post showing a large sign allegedly posted at the Maa Flyover project site in Davao City went viral after it claimed that the project was delayed due to political interference. The sign accused the Marcos and Romualdez administration of political pressure, which allegedly caused the delay of the project. It also alleged that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) failed to address the road right-of-way issues, withheld the budget, and showed sluggish action from its legal office. When GMA Regional TV One Mindanao visited the site on Saturday, August 2, 2025, no sign was found at the site. In a statement, DPWH-Davao (DPWH-11) denied the claims made in the viral post and clarified that the project is not being politicized. 'The claim that the project is being delayed due to alleged political issues involving the current administration is false and misleading,' DPWH-11 said. DPWH-11 said the Maa-Magtuod Flyover project has been fully funded since 2022, and the funds needed for the completion of the project have already been released. It added that civil works are ongoing at 82.5 percent. The agency explained that the project is facing minor concerns on road right-of-way involving a few properties and utilities. Most of these concerns have already been resolved while some are awaiting funds for settlement. 'As of now, four properties have been tagged as urgent for acquisition and are currently being processed by the office. The acquisition took time for these properties due to existing mortgage lien issues with their land titles. Yet, the office is actively coordinating with their respective mortgagee banks,' DPWH-11 added. DPWH-11 also coordinated with the Davao Light and Power Company and telecommunication companies for the relocation of the poles affected. DPWH-11 assured the public that the project remains a top priority. The government has allocated more than P1.4 billion for the project. The construction began in 2021 and is expected to be finished by 2026.
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- GMA Network
Hontiveros: GSIS invested P1 billion in online gambling platform
'In the first place, what was GSIS thinking, investing funds in online gambling?" Hontiveros said. Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday alleged that P1 billion worth of members' savings was invested by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in an online gambling platform. Hontiveros disclosed this in her privilege speech, noting that the GSIS, under the leadership of suspended GSIS President Jose Arnulfo 'Wick' Veloso, invested in DigiPlus when the online gambling platform's shares were being offered at a peak of P65.30. 'Those shares have since hit a low of P13.68. Lugi na,' the senator said. 'In the first place, what was GSIS thinking, investing funds in online gambling? Eh, tayo nga po, mga kasamang nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno, ni hindi pwedeng tumungtong sa casino lalo na hindi pwedeng magsugal doon. Kaya bakit ang GSIS, todo taya, at ginawang puhunan ang pera ng public employees sa sugalan,' she added. (Government employees can't even set foot in a casino, let alone gamble there. So why is GSIS investing government employees' money in gambling?) According to Hontiveros, there seems to be a 'pattern of reckless and questionable investment decisions' by the current GSIS leadership. 'The guardrails we have put in place to guide and protect GSIS investments are seemingly being breached,' she said. GMA News Online sought a comment from GSIS and Veloso and will update this story once they respond. Senate to probe Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, then made a manifestation on the floor, committing to investigate the information divulged by Hontiveros. 'Kaisa niyo po ako Senadora Risa hinggil po dito at nais ko po talagang maimbestigahan ito. At kung may pagkakataon po, maghahain po ako ng panukalang batas na kailangan imbistigahan po ito at makasuhan po si Ginoong Veloso,' Tulfo said. (I am with you, Senator Risa, on this matter, and I want this to be investigated. And if there's an opportunity, I will file a bill that will investigate this and charge Mr. Veloso.) 'Ito po ay aking paiimbestigahan kung may kumita, mukhang may kumita po rito, mayroon pong commission o kickback at hindi po ito karapat dapat at katanggap-tanggap,' he added. (I will investigate this to see if anyone benefited. It seems like someone made a profit here, or had a commission or kickback. This is not acceptable.) The Office of the Ombudsman in July placed Veloso and six other officials under preventive suspension without pay for six months amid its probe into the P1.4 billion deal with Alternergy. The Ombudsman said it 'found sufficient grounds' to suspend Veloso and six other GSIS officials, considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt' of possible grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and violation of reasonable office rules and regulations over the P1.4 billion stock purchase from AlterEnergy Holdings Corporation. Veloso, in response, said that GSIS acknowledged the Ombudsman's inquiry into the pension fund's Alternergy investment and is "cooperating fully with the investigation." 'We welcome this opportunity to affirm the integrity of GSIS's investment decisions and will provide further updates once the process concludes. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refrain from additional comments at this time,' he said. Hontiveros, meanwhile, stressed that the deal between GSIS and Alternergy 'reveals multiple red flags.' 'Glaringly, Alternergy's market capitalization was far below the P15 billion minimum reportedly required under GSIS policy for investible companies. The shares were not even listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on the dates of the execution of the agreement and the payment of the subscription,' she said. 'Even worse, Alternergy also appears to be 'highly overleveraged.' Simply put, they have too much debt, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 194% and a dangerously low interest coverage rate. Paano nakapagdeklara ng P40 million cash dividend ang kompanya na iyan, eh puro sila utang, at in financial distress na?' (How could that company declare a P40 million cash dividend when it is in debt and already in financial distress?) Hontiveros thus said that the Senate should act swiftly to review the policies, procedures, and guidelines covering the GSIS's investment decisions. 'We should strengthen GSIS's investment policy compliance and oversight. We should increase transparency and accountability in their investments. And we should plug policy gaps and clarify ambiguities,' she said. 'Ang pensyon ng pampublikong sektor, hindi pangsugal [the pension of the public sector is not for gambling]. GSIS should not waste or gamble away the future of those who serve our nation,' she added. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- GMA Network
Marcos declares Paoay Lake a protected area
A view of Paoay Lake from Malacañang of the North. (File photo) President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has declared Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte a protected area to ensure its conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation. In signing Republic Act 12230 on August 4, Marcos said the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape (PLPL) was 'in recognition of the richness of biological resources, both flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to Paoay Lake as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance.' Ilocos Norte is the hometown of the President. According to the law, it is the State's policy to secure the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals for Filipinos' present and future generations through the declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). The law mandated the creation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Some of its members are the regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial governor, senators who are Ilocos Norte residents, the representative of the congressional district that includes the PLPL, and the mayor of Paoay. The Board's responsibilities include overseeing the management of the PLPL, approving policies, plans, and programs for the area's management, allocating financial resources for the implementation of the management plan, and setting fees and charges. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) will supervise daily management, protection, and administration of the PLPL. The law also established the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (PLPL-IPAF) to support projects and operations. Funding will be provided by the permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the PLPL, the leasing of multiple-use areas, contributions from businesses and facilities that directly benefit from the PLPL, and other fees collected from PLPL operations. The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from various domestic and foreign sources and shall be deposited as a special account in the National Treasury. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
