Flood control projects 'for sale' scheme bared

Some contractors with close ties to corrupt local government officials were able to secure flood control projects without public bidding.

- By EMMANUEL TUPAS

This was according to Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua who is also the president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

In an interview yesterday over dzBB, Cua cited as an example a mayor in one of the towns in his province who requested flood control projects worth hundreds of millions of pesos, even if other more urgent infrastructure projects are required in the town.

Cua said the mayor, whom he did not identify, asked barangay officials to sign requests for flood control projects on the day of President Marcos' State of the Nation Address last July 28.

The highlight of Marcos' SONA was his announcement of an investigation on anomalous flood control projects in the country.

"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," Cua said in Filipino.

It turned out it was a contractor with close ties to the mayor who was able to secure flood control projects from the government.

“Based on reports that were spreading, a contractor close to the mayor already bought those projects,” he added.

“Why is it being reported that it was a contractor that was buying the project – whether from the Department of Public Works and Highways or the Department of Budget and Management or from whoever? Why is it they’re the ones who identify and bring in the projects?” The governor said this only showed that the contractors had already secured the projects even without public bidding.

Cua said what the town needs more is a hospital, farm-to-market roads and classrooms for students.

He also said he and fellow governors fully support Marcos’ order for a lifestyle check on all government officials starting with the DPWH.

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