Flood funds misused? Local leaders warn of ‘projects for sale’

National

FLOOD projects for sale?

Allegations that flood control projects are being treated like commodities “for sale” to politically connected contractors have surfaced, raising concerns over corruption and misplaced spending priorities in local government infrastructure.

Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua, president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, said contractors with ties to officials were able to secure multimillion-peso flood control works even without public bidding. He cited a case in his province where a mayor pushed for hundreds of millions in flood projects despite residents needing more urgent facilities such as a hospital, classrooms, and farm-to-market roads.

According to Cua, barangay officials were asked to sign requests on the same day President Marcos delivered his State of the Nation Address, during which the President ordered a probe into questionable flood control projects nationwide.

Reports later indicated that a contractor close to the mayor had already cornered the contracts.

“It came to my attention that of all the things that town needed, priority was given to requests for millions of pesos for flood control projects,” he said in Filipino, as reported by Philstar.

Cua argued that the process suggested contractors, not government agencies, were identifying and securing projects. He backed Marcos’ directive for lifestyle checks on public officials, starting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to uncover those abusing the system.

The controversy has also spurred local executives to organize the Mayors for Good Governance coalition, which now counts more than 70 members.

Spearheaded by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, alongside Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and Isabela City, Basilan Mayor Sitti Hataman, the group is pressing for transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending.

Belmonte said the coalition continues to grow, partly because constituents are demanding their local leaders take a stand.

She cautioned, however, that members must be genuinely committed to the principles of integrity and people-centered service.

“Through our example, we declare that there is a different kind of leadership, one that is open, collaborative, and evidence-based,” she said in the same report.(MyTVCebu)