Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong further confirmed that significantly large amounts of government funds tied to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were funneled into questionable projects, citing records that show staggering jumps from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Magalong said the anomalies were too glaring to ignore.

“Karamihan ng mga nakikita naming tiwali na mga projects, makikita mo ‘yon yung significantly large amount of fund, DPWH fund. Makikita mo doon eh na talagang ito ‘yong NEP tapos bakit biglang 20 billion? Makikita mo ‘yon eh, nilabas ko ‘yon eh. Bakit ang lalaki ng mga pondo?” Magalong stressed.

He pointed to Mindoro as one clear example. “Ang NEP sa Oriental Mindoro is one point something billion sa isang distrito. Ang NEP sa isang distrito sa Mindoro Occidental ay nasa mga two point something billion. Ang GAA naging 20 billion, almost 21 billion.”

Magalong said the figures were backed by records he intended to present before the House of Representatives, rather than the Senate.

“Ayokong pumunta sa Senado dahil kapag ni-reveal ko ‘yong walang dating, mahina ang dating,” he explained.

The mayor also revealed that during his inspection rounds with Secretary Vince Dizon, most projects funded under the DPWH were far from acceptable.

“Wala kaming nakitang maayos na project, puro tiwaling project lang,” he said, adding that corruption in the agency has become a “cottage industry” for politicians, contractors, and DPWH officials.

“Napakarami pa… Makikita mo talagang ang laki nung jump, ang laki nung difference. Magugulat ka bakit ito lang ang nasa NEP? Bakit ganito ang kinalabasan? Ganito ang insertion. Ibig sabihin something is in the making sa lugar na ‘yon,” he added.

Magalong, who recently resigned as special advisor to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICI), believes his findings may have “struck some nerves.”

Despite stepping down, he vowed to continue pursuing the issue with the Mayors for Good Governance group (M4GG), stressing that accountability must be upheld.

“Hindi pwedeng walang makulong dito,” he said.