BBM Slams Subpar P264-M Kennon Rock Shed

Likening the funding of a subpar flood control project to throwing money into a river, President Marcos yesterday inspected what he described as "problematic" projects in Benguet, as he vowed to sustain his crackdown on anomalous deals while in office.

- Alexis Romero

Marcos visited the northern province to see for himself the status of a 152-meter, two-lane rock shed worth P264.19 million and a 3,479-square-meter active mesh system worth P114.18 million, both along Kennon Road in Tuba town.

"It's like throwing your money into your river. Useless. To correct this will cost double that," the President said, referring to the rock shed project.

"I don't blame anyone for being disappointed, frustrated, angry and baying for blood," he added.

According to Marcos, the project's slope protec-| tion was not implemented properly as it immediately disintegrated and did not stop the soil collapse and rock fall while the province was being hit by weather disturbances last month.

Reconstructing the project would cost the government at least twice the original amount or about P500 million, he added.

"The slope protection beside the river was too low and too weak... this was all destroyed because of the landslide here, the rockslide here and the erosion under the road," the President said. "The (money the) government spent for this project had no effect whatsoever as to protect the slope. It seems that nothing was done." Marcos was accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, Camp 4 barangay chairman John Dogao and public works officials during the inspection.

Magalong earlier said that at least 67 lawmakers are using contractors as their "fronts" for flood control projects.