Is DPWH the Department of Photoshopped Works and Highways

@ramblin_adameve called out my attention on a DPWH photo last September 28, a day after Typhoon Pedring.

Which photo is this? RT @ramblin_adameve: @dpwhco It’s photoshopped

It was only a day after that @ramblin_adameve showed me the photoshopped photo that was uploaded in their DPWH Facebook:

I was not able to see the photo until much later today but someone was able to piece the photo together and describe the changes done in Photoshop . The photo shows Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo with NCR Director Reynaldo G. Tagudando and South Manila District Engineer Mikunug D. Macud inspect the extent of damaged seawall in Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard caused by “Typhoon Pedring”.

Someone noticed that the photo didn’t seem quite right.

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Some say this is a very minor issue, but I see this is as a nice sample of DPWH’s lack of integrity. If they can fabricate simple things like this, just imagine what these guys can do to progress billings and acceptance of projects. Also, while relatively mild, isn’t this a classic example of “Utak Wangwang?” While unethical and unnecessary, they thought they could get away with fabricating photos so they tried to.

DPWH eventually removed the photo from their Facebook page and gave a flimsy apology for posting an *uncleared* pic. There was no mention or admission of using photoshop.

Someone called it a Photoshop fail. Another said that DPWH is desperate for Press Release.

Why are photos of our DPWH official in the field so important? Isn’t action so much better?

The image of the three DPWH officials seems to have taken a life of its own, as scores of Netizens took to Photoshop and other image-editing software to drop Mr. Momo and his two luckless companions in a variety of settings. “The “alterations” of the “altered” photo put the three officials in, among others: inside the ring as Manny Pacquiao clobbered a foe; inside the UAAP court during a game; discussing atop the Banaue rice terraces; on a bump boat in a theme park; onstage with TV5’s Willie Revillame; onstage at an Eraserheads concert; taking in the sun in Boracay; watching youngsters enjoying an ice slide in a snow-themed park; and being there with actress Cristine Reyes as she shivered on her flood-covered home’s rooftop in that classic rescue during storm Ondoy two years ago.”

The complete image archives (constantly being updated) can be accessed herr.

DPWH issued a statement saying that they had nothing to do with the altered photo.

“The DPWH Public Information Division wish to inform the public that Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo, DPWH NCR Director Reynaldo G. Tagudando and South Manila District Engineer Mike Macud had nothing to do with the earlier photo posted in the DPWH Facebook Account. We profusely apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused them and the general public. Rest assured that we shall exert more diligence and prudence in the execution of our mandate to inform the public of our plans, programs, projects and official activities. Said enhanced photo was not the official photo release of the Department. “But we would like to inform the public that the three officials were actually on site as part of the Department’s Post Disaster Assessment activities.”