Henry Alcantara

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Henry C. Alcantara is a Filipino civil engineer and government official. He is known for his long service at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), where he rose from the ranks starting in the 1994 until he held leadership roles at the district and regional level. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Henry C. Alcantara was hailed in Bocaue, Bulacan. [2] He studied civil engineering at the University of Santo Tomas, where he earned his degree before joining public service. [1]

Career

Alcantara began his career in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 1994. He started as a casual employee and gradually moved up through different technical and administrative positions. [1]

In 2019, he was appointed as the District Engineer of the First District Engineering Office in Bulacan, where he oversaw public works and infrastructure projects across several municipalities, including Malolos, Calumpit, Baliwag, and Hagonoy. [1]

Later, Alcantara also served as Assistant Regional Director and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of DPWH Region IV-A, helping manage projects across the region. [2]

Controversy

In 2025, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigated reports of flood control projects in Bulacan that were described as "ghost projects," or projects that were funded but allegedly not completed, or projects that were funded but allegedly not completed. Alcantara, who was then the district engineer, was asked about these projects during hearings. [3] During the hearings, Alcantara admitted that he had received luxury vehicles and a watch from some of his subordinates. He explained that the items were later returned, but lawmakers questioned why such gifts were given in the first place. [4] [5]

The Department of Public Works and Highways also filed administrative cases against Alcantara, finding him guilty of certain irregularities in project implementation. [6] He later declined to sign waivers for his bank and phone records when requested by senators, saying he wanted to consult his lawyers before taking further steps. [7]

A separate controversy also arose when a photo circulated showing Alcantara together with Senator Jinggoy Estrada. The picture was presented during a House hearing by former assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez. Lawmakers said it raised questions about Alcantara's connections with certain politicians, though Alcantara and others responded that the image did not prove wrongdoing. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lopez, Virgil (4 September 2025). "How Henry Alcantara rose through the ranks at DPWH". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (2 September 2025). "Who is Henry Alcantara, the DPWH Bulacan executive under fire?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  3. Panti, Llanesca T. (18 September 2025). "Henry Alcantara cited in contempt over 'lying' about flood control projects". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  4. Untalan, Sherylin (18 September 2025). "Gifts or compliance? Ex-DPWH district engineer admits receiving luxury SUVs, watch". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  5. Orcio, Francis (18 September 2025). "Ex-DPWH engineer admits accepting luxury vehicles amid flood control scandal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  6. Salcedo, Mary Joy (5 September 2025). "Ex-DPWH Bulacan engineer Alcantara guilty of administrative cases". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  7. Subingsubing, Krixia (12 September 2025). "Ex-DPWH engineer declines to sign bank, phone waivers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  8. "Henry Alcantara seen with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada". GMA Integrated News. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.