Syndicated

FIRST PERSON

- ALEX MAGNO

These days, it seems what we have is a horror show instead of a government. As the horrific details of the looting that happened related to the overfunded flood control projects roll out, the public finds it difficult to react with the usual humor—our old way of coping with distress. This is a danger sign. Our people are beginning to find the extent of corruption difficult to laugh at.

Over the past 15 years, it is estimated that P2 trillion was allocated for flood control projects. At this point, we might as well consider that amount of taxpayer money lost.

Contracting for government projects had become the most reliable path to achieving billionaire status. About 60 percent of the amount allocated is believed looted. The remaining 40 percent was used for substandard projects that are useless—and therefore also lost.

It pains to watch that news clip of farmers in Mindoro whose farmlands were destroyed when a substandard dike built by one of the notorious contractors collapsed. Not only were their homes flooded, their fields became useless. They are hungry and bankrupt. The contractor, meanwhile, was proudly showing off her fleet of over 40 luxury cars.

Superimpose that on the latest statistics showing the country underspent on education and public health to the extent that our poverty alleviation targets have become compromised. The devastation wrought on our society is far larger than the looted amounts.

As the details come to light, we are now sure that the plunderers are very well syndicated. They are better organized than organized crime. They ARE organized crime.