MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered contractors and government agencies to explain why several multi-billion-peso flood control projects across the country remain unfinished despite being marked as “completed” in official records.
During an inspection in Calumpit, Bulacan on August 15, Marcos personally examined a river protection project in Barangay Bulusan that had been declared complete but was missing critical components such as dredging and desiltation. The project, undertaken by St. Timothy Construction Corp., is part of a larger flood mitigation program in the province worth ₱6.5 billion covering 668 projects.
“These projects are supposed to protect communities, not just on paper but in reality. If they’re not doing their job, someone must answer for it,” Marcos said, directing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to investigate and ensure accountability.
The President also visited Iloilo to check on two major infrastructure undertakings — the unfinished ₱802-million Pavia flyover and ongoing flood control sections in Jaro. Marcos stressed the need for quality assurance and warned against accepting substandard work.
Nationwide, Marcos said he has been made aware of multiple flood control projects tagged as complete despite lacking vital structural elements. He underscored that with ₱545 billion allocated for flood control under his administration — nearly 20% of which was awarded to just 15 contractors — the government cannot afford delays and poor workmanship.
The DPWH has yet to release its findings on the Bulacan and Iloilo projects, but Marcos vowed to keep conducting surprise inspections to ensure infrastructure projects deliver on their promise.
“Every peso spent here is a peso meant to save lives and protect livelihoods. We cannot allow negligence or deception in projects that our people depend on,” he said.
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