Marcos orders probe of flood control projects

To those stealing infra funds: Mahiya naman kayo

MANILA, Philippines — Admitting that many flood control projects were substandard or mere “figments of imagination,” President Marcos ordered yesterday a probe as he vowed to run after those involved in anomalies that “stole the future” of storm-hit communities.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the project irregularities come in many forms – SOP, errata, “for the boys,” among others – designed to facilitate collusion among officials and contractors to pocket public funds.

“Recently, I inspected the effects of the southwest monsoon, cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong. I clearly saw that many projects for flood control are substandard and have collapsed. Others are mere figments of imagination,” the President said. “Let us not pretend. The people know that there are rackets in the projects,” he added.

“Mahiya naman kayo,” he said, drawing a standing ovation.

“Be ashamed for the houses that were submerged in floods. Be ashamed especially to our children who will inherit the debt that you caused because you pocketed the money,” he said, referring to corrupt officials and private contractors.

To prevent a repeat of the effects of recent weather disturbances, Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit a list of all flood control projects from every region that were started or completed in the last three years.

“The regional project monitoring committee shall examine that list of projects and give a report on those that had been failures, those that were not finished and those that were alleged to be ghost projects,” the Chief Executive said.

“We will publish this list. We will make this list public. The public will be a witness to these projects and they are free to examine the list and provide information that will help us in our investigation,” he added.

Marcos said the government will conduct an audit and performance review of the projects to check how the budgets for them were spent.

“In the following months, all those who will be proven to have committed wrongdoings based on the investigation, including the contractors who were in cahoots with them, will be charged,” he said.

“The people need to know the entire truth. Someone should be held to account for the damage and the corruption.”

New normal

In the same address, which lasted for over an hour, Marcos emphasized the need for more improvement in disaster preparedness efforts, noting that the country is prone to calamities.

“We are determined in preparing for the threats posed by disasters and calamities, especially under a new normal and a changing climate,” he said.

“We should not stop our preparations because the threat is always there. It should come naturally and automatic,” he added.

Marcos noted that four cyclones hit the Philippines this month alone and 12 more are expected to visit the country by yearend. Of the 24 active volcanoes, four are exhibiting unrest, he added.

The President vowed to increase the number of modern evacuation centers. “We should no longer use schools as evacuation centers,” he added.

‘Work better for people’

His allies in the House of Representatives, as expected, welcomed his message, with Speaker Martin Romualdez saying it boils down to exhorting the government to “work better for the people.”

“As Speaker, I’m committed to making sure the budget reflects that – every centavo must go where it’s needed most,” Romualdez said.

“This is not just about numbers, it’s about making sure families feel the impact of every peso we allocate,” he said.

Reps. Adrian Salceda, Salvador Pleyto Sr. and Arthur Robes also lauded the President for promising to focus his administration’s efforts on food security.

“In particular, I am very thankful that he highlighted the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund or Coco Levy Act,” Salceda of the second district of Albay said.

“I was hopeful he would take it up. As it turns out, it is one of the topics he asked Congress to legislate on. The coconut sector is one of the largest sectors by land area in Philippine agriculture. It is also among our largest export sectors. It’s absolutely essential for food security,” he said.

Pleyto, of the sixth district of Bulacan, said Marcos’ message reminded him of a biblical passage. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

“Despite never-ending criticisms, the President remains focused on doing his job in making sure that no Filipino is left behind. His promise to pour more resources into the agriculture sector is one proof of his sincerity, like scholarship grants and modernizing the industry,” he said.

Robes, for his part, said he supports the programs of the Marcos administration as he filed 10 priority bills that aim to show his “renewed commitment to public service, along with a vision for transformative change.”

“Returning to Congress after serving as mayor since 2016 has provided me with invaluable insights into crafting laws that truly make a difference. My goal is to ensure that public service is felt not only by my constituents but by every Filipino – no one should be left behind,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, who hails from flood-prone Bulacan, welcomed President Marcos’ mention of flood control projects that failed to mitigate flooding.

Villanueva praised the President for his promise to release a list of substandard or ghost projects.

“The operative word there is accountability. We are happy that he wants every peso spent by the government accounted for,” Villanueva said in an ambush interview.

But he said he was disappointed that the President did not mention their call for a ban on online gambling.

“That’s the only thing I was disappointed about. I wish there was an announcement about it. I’m also wishing for a total ban,” Villanueva said.

Sen. JV Ejercito also lauded the President’s efforts to go after corruption that tainted flood control projects.

“It is obvious they are making money out of this racket,” Ejercito said, referring to half-finished or substandard flood control projects.

Audit welcomed

He also welcomed the President’s announcement of an audit and review of the flood control projects “to hold those responsible accountable.”

“Year after year, the budget for flood control projects is sliced up per district, leading to scattered, redundant and sometimes questionable drainage improvements and slope protections. Others use it for corruption,” Ejercito said.

“We support the President’s call for a full accounting of all flood control projects. But audits must be followed by consequences. If there’s incompetence, someone should be held accountable; if there’s corruption, someone should be put behind bars,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III said he was “generally satisfied” with the SONA, particularly the President’s “stern warning about corruption in the DPWH flood control and other projects.”

He also said Marcos was right about his emphasis on preserving the National Expenditure Program or NEP.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo also lauded the President’s call for an investigation on flood control anomalies in the past three years.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, praised the President’s tough stance on corruption and called for transparency and integrity in public spending.

Silence US tariff

Business groups, meanwhile, also welcomed the President’s push for transparency in infrastructure, including flood control projects, and the budget in his SONA, but were surprised about his silence about the US tariffs and online gambling.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman George Barcelon said the President’s SONA showed his being aware of the gaps in government services.

“I am glad that he realized that and he encouraged all the government officials to do better,” he said.

Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) chair Elizabeth Lee said the group also supports the President’s call for well-designed, built-to-last, completed-on-time and properly maintained infrastructure.

“Transparency and accountability are key – especially in light of the directive to audit and publish all flood control projects and expose erring contractors,” she said.

She said voiced FPI’s support for the President’s commitment to reject any budget item not aligned with government priorities.

“Fiscal discipline and policy alignment are crucial for delivering meaningful, long-term impact,” she said.

For his part, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the President’s pronouncement to seriously look at the budget is important for the business sector, noting that many of the issues facing the country involve the budget.

While the group was glad to hear about the push for funding for small and medium enterprises, he said he wanted to hear about the President’s plan on exports and the US tariffs.

“I was hoping he would [mention]. Unfortunately, I think it wasn’t there,” he said.

He said there was also no mention of online gambling, which shows this is not a priority for now.

“He (Marcos) may not have mentioned it, but I hope in action…that the law enforcers should be vigilant in their work,” he said. — Louella Desiderio, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Neil Jayson Servallos