The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced it will file criminal charges against Hi‑Tone Construction & Development Corp., a firm owned by former congressman Zaldy Co and his brother, following the partial collapse of a seawall in Navotas City.
The collapse occurred at a shoreline protection project implemented under Hi-Tone’s contract, prompting the DPWH to investigate possible structural deficiencies, substandard materials or failure to comply with specifications. The agency said the charges will include violation of contract, negligence, and possibly more serious offences depending on the outcome of the inspection.
According to DPWH officials, the seawall was intended to safeguard coastal communities from storm surge and high tides—especially relevant for Navotas, a low-lying city prone to flooding and marine hazards. Its failure raises concerns over project oversight and contractor accountability for public works in flood-prone zones.
Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., while owned by Zaldy Co and his brother, had secured the contract through the DPWH’s infrastructure procurement system. With the seawall collapse, the DPWH is poised to refer the case to its legal and engineering units for further action, including possible blacklisting of the contractor from future public-works bidding.
In a statement, the DPWH stressed that “public safety must come first” and that any contractor whose work fails to meet the required standards has no place in government infrastructure projects. The agency said it is coordinating with local government units and utility agencies in Navotas to assess any remedial work needed to restore protection for the affected shoreline.
The Navotas community, meanwhile, has been advised to maintain vigilance—particularly during heavy rainfall or high-tide events—while the seawall area remains under inspection and potential repair. For the DPWH, the outcome of this case may serve as a test of regulatory enforcement in the country’s embattled flood-control and coastal-defence sector.
