PBMM inspects Kennon Road rock shed, netting projects
ANOTHER case of economic sabotage.
This was what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said yesterday after inspecting the P264.19-million rock shed project in Camp 6 Barangay 4 and the P114-million rock netting project Camp 4, both in Tuba town in Benguet.
He called the projects “useless” and said government would need some P500 million for road clearing and to repair these projects which are aimed at preventing rockslides.
Last month at the height of tropical cyclones, landslides the Kennon Road, a national highway, causing inconvenience and danger to the public. The landslides also affected economic activities in the Cordillera area.
Marcos’ visit came amid complaints and reports about flood control projects suspected to be tainted with irregularities, including those named by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
The President has been inspecting flood control projects in different parts of the country since he ordered, in his state of the nation address in July, the submission of list of projects implemented by the government under his presidency amid reports of irregularities, incomplete, failed or “ghost” projects.
“I am here together with Mayor Benjie Magalong to inspect some of these problematic – again — flood control projects. I think you can see for yourself na talagang hindi trinabaho nang mabuti ito (I think you can see for yourself that this was not done properly),” he said referring to the rock shed along Kennon Road.
The 152-meter, two-lane rock shed was supposed to provide slope protection but a portion of it was damaged after rock fell, resulting in the closure of a portion of Kennon Road which is a major thoroughfare.
Marcos said the rock protection wall was also “weak and small.”
The President said the government not only lost more than P260 million for the shed project, but also has to spend twice the amount for repairs and road clearing.
“Here is the problem here. This is (a) P260 million-project. Useless. Parang tinapon mo ‘yung pera sa ilog (It’s like throwing money into the river). Useless. To correct this will cost double that. That’s my top-of-the-head estimate. P500 million ito para ayusin (P500 million to fix this),” he said.
ECONOMIC SABOTAGE
“So, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. So, how can you tell me that it’s not economic sabotage? You took the P260 million, but we haven’t seen any result from the contract. Then to fix the problem that you gave us, it will cost us another P260 million, probably double P260 million, up to 500 million),” he added in mixed English and Filipino.
He said he understood the disappointment, frustration and anger of the public especially of those who are affected by the failed projects.
Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan said around 35 percent of the province’ economy has been affected by road damage and the rock falls which happened last month amid the onslaught of tropical cyclones |Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong.”
“Because this was closed, you cannot use it. In terms of business, 35 percent I think is the number – 35 percent of their livelihood was lost. So, it is not only the damage, the physical damage that we can see, but it is also the damage to the economy. It is also the damage to the people’s livelihood,” the President said.
OVERPRICED NETS
Marcos also called attention to the rock netting in another part of the highway, which he said was supposed to have been banned for being “notorious” for corruption.
The project uses nets to prevent and hold rocks and soil that fall from the mountain to the road.
Marcos said the apart from being banned, the project used nets used were overpriced by at least 75 percent.
He said each net costs about P3,200 but charged P12,000 in the contract.
The P114-million contract also used substandard nets.
“So, times four, times four. So, 75 percent was the kickback from the contract. So, that’s the situation we are facing, which is why this is serious,” the President said.
Marcos has instructed his legal team to look into charges that can be filed against the unscrupulous contractors and their cohorts in government.
He also vowed to “fix” the failed projects while he is in office.
“If there’s one thing I will not leave this office without fixing, this is one of them. We will not let them gamble away the lives and livelihood of the Filipinos through corruption and negligence,” he said in a social media post after the inspection of the two projects.
BAN
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said contractors who have been linked to anomalies should not be allowed from joining biddings for all government projects at least for next year.
Gatchalian, chair of the Committee on Finance, said his legal team is studying if they can include a “special provision” in the 2026 proposed national budget which will bar contractors, especially the 15 earlier identified by Marcos as having been awarded around P100-billion worth of flood control projects.
In an interview with radio dzBB, Gatchalian said if the erring contractors can win more contracts if they are not barred from joining all government projects, not just in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“So, the special provision will cover all contractors, whether the courts have rendered a judgment or not. This will not only be for the DPWH but also for the DepEd (Department of Education), or even in agriculture because they are scattered. They have projects for irrigations, farm-to-market roads, etc. So, all of them should be barred,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.
Gatchalian said he knows the proposal will be met with strong opposition from lawmakers and various stakeholders, but this will somehow determine their stand on the issues of substandard and ghost flood control projects.
AUDIT
Gatchalian said he has tapped the services of three private associations of project managers and engineers to conduct an audit of the more than 9,000 government projects listed in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
He said the groups will thoroughly look into all the listed projects and conduct on-site inspections because there are no photos included in the NEP for projects which will verify the existence of such projects.
Gatchalian said the groups were the same which helped him determine technical descriptions of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub building which was raided in Bamban, Tarlac.
He said his instructions to the groups are to check if a project is effective, to determine if specifications and project are costs right, and to determine if there are really such projects.
ACOUNTABILITY
He also said Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan should take accountability for the irregularities on the flood control projects since he is the highest official of the department.
He reiterated his call for Bonoan to take a leave of absence while the anomalies are being investigated so that investigations will be “unbiased.”
Gatchalian also said “insertions/amendments” happen during the budget process, and these are considered legal as long as these are “justified” and done in coordination with the concerned agency or the executive branch itself, and not done only when a lawmaker has contacted a contractor to construct a specific project.
“That’s plain and simple corruption,” he added.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, in a radio interview on Sunday last week, said insertions or amendments in the budget are “legal” since Congress has the “power over the purse.”
Drilon made the remark when asked if proposing amendments to the proposed national budget for a project which is not included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is considered legal.
PUNISHMENT
Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday said the “final test of action” on the substandard and ghost flood control projects will be determined only when there will be certainty of punishment for all those involved in the irregularities.
He said the people will be waiting to witness if someone will be prosecuted, convicted, and imprisoned for the anomalous flood control and other government infrastructure projects.
“I hope there will be a big fish that will be charged, prosecuted, convicted, and jailed, so their example will not be followed. In my law enforcement days, this was called certainty of punishment. If there is no accountability or certainty of punishment, those involved in corruption will be emboldened to continue, and those who are not may be encouraged to engage in it,” he said.
Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said Bonoan has sacked the district engineer of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa after he questioned the engineer’s involvement in alleged questionable transactions, including unauthorized transfer of funds for flood control projects
Santos said based on a memorandum issued by Bonoan on August 18, Las Piñas-Muntinlupa district engineer Isabelo Baleros was transferred to the DPWH Metro Manila Third District Engineering Office and was replaced with engineer Ruel Umali.
“Under and by virtue of this order, Engr. Umali is directed to perform the duties and assume the responsibilities appurtenant to the position of District Engineer,” the memorandum said.
Santos earlier accused Baleros of involvement in “anomalous transactions involving irregular fund transfers, questionable project prioritization, and a blatant disregard for coordination with local government officials.”
He said Baleros allegedly requested that project funds intended for Las Piñas “be moved from his district office to the DPWH National Capital Region office, without prior consultation with local officials.”
The issue stemmed from the P140-million C5 Diversion Road project in Barangay Manuyo Dos, which Santos said is the single largest allocation from the P450.5 million total budget for the city’s infrastructure this year.
‘FACE US’
Deputy Speaker Jefferson Khonghun challenged Magalong to substantiate his allegation that congressmen are involved in graft and corruption related to flood control projects, during a formal investigation by the House tri-committee.
Khonghun said Magalong should take his allegations on flood control anomalies to the tri-comm “and back them up with documents that can withstand cross-examination” because the public “deserves the truth anchored on evidence, not broad claims that leave everyone guessing.”
He said institutional scrutiny “works best when those who speak out are ready to testify under oath and submit primary records that can be independently verified.” – With Raymond Africa and Wendell Vigilia
“The House will only take him seriously if his allegations on flood control anomalies are placed on the record, supported by documents and tested under questioning. That means naming names in the hearing, submitting contracts and fund flows, and swearing to the facts so accountability can follow,” Khonghun said.
Magalong said last month that contractors have informed him that lawmakers allegedly receive an average of 30 percent of contract prices of public works projects.
Khonghun said the “the most direct contribution Magalong can make is to appear and substantiate his claims in the House hearings, where his statements will carry legal weight.”
“If Mayor Magalong believes public funds were misused, he should help us prove it in committee. Bring the project lists, procurement papers and disbursement records. Put the facts under oath so we can separate rumor from wrongdoing and act on the evidence,” he said. – With Raymond Africa and Wendell Vigilia
