Chavit: ICI should start probe in Ilocos Norte

MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) formed by President Marcos should investigate alleged anomalous flood control projects in his home turf, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson urged yesterday.

According to Singson, some flood works in Ilocos Norte were contracted by firms owned by Sarah and Curlee Discaya, so there is a possibility of ghost projects existing there.

“I mentioned Ilocos Norte because that’s where the President came from,” Singson told a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan yesterday.

Among the Discaya-linked contractors involved in Ilocos Norte projects, according to Singson, are St. Matthew Construction, St. Gerrard Construction, St. Timothy Construction and Alpha and Omega Construction.

Singson, who endorsed Marcos for the presidency in 2022, said the Chief Executive is part of the problem, as he signed the 2025 budget that was riddled with alleged irregularities.

“When the President mentioned graft and corruption in flood control, he’s part of that. Hasn’t he forgotten?” he asked.

Singson also called on the youth and students to spearhead a “peaceful revolution” against corruption by boycotting classes.

“My suggestion is for high school and college (students), for them to stop until all corrupt officials have stepped down from office,” the former governor emphasized.

Baguio tennis court

The problematic P110-million tennis court and parking building project beside the Baguio Athletic Bowl was built by the Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction.

St. Gerrard won the project three years ago even “under the nose” of vocal anti-corruption crusader Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is also the recently appointed special adviser and investigator for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

The tennis court, part of the city’s sports development push, has been widely criticized for uneven surfaces, poor drainage and safety concerns.

Local tennis players and residents have voiced their frustration, with Baguio Tennis Club member Michael Alonzo stating: “It’s unsafe to play on and it doesn’t reflect what was promised.”

Magalong, who had expressed his anger at the project’s rushed “completion” last May despite its subpar quality, had earlier raised the lack of oversight.

But residents are questioning how such a project could have passed inspection, especially given St. Gerrard’s history of delays and quality issues in various government projects nationwide.

Councilor Jose Molintas said they are calling on city building officials and the City Environment and Parks Management Office for an investigation into the lingering quality issues even as the project was tagged completed last May.

UPLB projects

The University of the Philippines Los Baños yesterday gave assurance that it exercised its oversight responsibilities with utmost diligence on infrastructure projects in UPLB that have been outsourced to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid controversy on the flood control projects.

“To be clear, DPWH is solely responsible for these infrastructure projects’ procurement, implementation and construction management. On our end, our team of engineers and architects comprising the oversight committee and in the presence of the building designer-consultant, undertakes watchful and responsible care during regular inspections to ensure that there are no inadvertent omissions, errors or use of substandard materials,” the UPLB said in a statement.

The UPLB said the university’s infrastructure projects are currently in various stages of implementation.

“Those that are unfinished are being undertaken in phases and are awaiting a fresh infusion of funds to continue with the subsequent phases,” it said. — Artemio Dumlao, Bella Cariaso, Mark Ernest Villeza