President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hold accountable and blacklist contractors behind failed and substandard flood control projects, particularly in Iloilo.
During the press conference in the Palace, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said during Marcos inspection of several flood control projects in Iloilo City on August 14, the President noted 'delays and questionable' works that have allegedly worsened flooding in the area.
Castro also mentioned that Marcos noted that despite billions of pesos in funding, many projects remain incomplete or structurally unsound years after their approval.
"Ayon sa Pangulo, bilyun-bilyon ang ginastos para sa mga flood control projects na sana’y nakakatulong na maibsan ang pinsalang dulot ng bagyo at habagat. Ngunit, ilang taon na ang lumipas at paulit-ulit pa rin ang dinaranas ng taumbayan," Castro quoted Marcos.
"Binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na hindi puwede na tapos lang sa papel ang mga flood control projects na kung maitayo man ay sira din agad at wala ng silbi, hindi rin puwedeng mababang klase ang proyekto para sa taumbayan," Castro said.
On Magalong’s Recommendation
Meanwhile, when asked about Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s proposal to appoint a lead investigator to look into questionable flood control projects nationwide—citing his own knowledge of alleged irregularities, Castro said the President has already put in place an investigation mechanism through the Regional Project Monitoring Committees.
She encouraged Magalong to submit his findings directly to the President for immediate action, especially if they involve lawmakers or specific projects.
"Kung anuman po ang maitutulong ni Mayor Magalong, mas maganda po na ito ay mailahad niya sa Pangulo at hindi naman po siguro kinakailangan pang magkaroon ng isang magli-lead sa probe dahil nga may mekanismo na po at sistema na ibinigay ang ating Pangulo," Castro said.
"Kung anuman po ang mayroon siya, kung ito po ay kumpleto ay maaari niya po itong maisumite agad-agad sa ating Pangulo para iyong sinasabi po nilang 67 congressmen at mukhang sila ay identified na ni Mayor Magalong hindi po ba mas magandang maibigay na niya ang report na ito sa ating Pangulo," she added.
She added that if sufficient evidence is found, legal action should be pursued without delay.
"Mas maganda po na ito ay detalyado. Hindi pupuwede muli na tayo ay magturo lamang," she said.
Castro further said that Marcos also called on citizens to join the fight against corruption and flooding by reporting anomalies via the government’s "Sumbong Sa Pangulo."
The directive came days after the President publicly named several contractors linked to delayed, defective, and questionable infrastructure projects.
It can be recalled that in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos directed the DPWH to submit a list of all flood control projects in every region, with the information to be made public.
