Local government units (LGUs) are now joining citizens in reporting failed public works projects directly to Malacañang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. revealed.
Marcos said his recent inspection of problematic infrastructure projects in Benguet was prompted by reports from local officials.
“Mayor Benjie has been very vocal about the problems that we have. That’s why napunta ako dito,” the President said during his visit to two rockfall protection projects in Tuba, Benguet, on Sunday.
The Chief Executive, joined by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, inspected the ₱264-million rock shed project and the ₱114-million rock netting project along Kennon Road in Brgy. Camp 4.
Magalong also invited the President to check another construction site near the Kennon Road view deck in Brgy. Camp 7, which he described as a “road to nowhere.” He likewise handed Marcos a folder containing project documents.
Following his inspection, Marcos described the rock shed and rock netting projects as “both useless.”
“Isang ₱114-milyong rock netting project na ginawa pa noong 2018–2019, overpriced, substandard, at imbes na magbigay-proteksyon ay naglagay pa ng buhay sa panganib,” he said in a social media post.
“Mahigit ₱260-milyong rock shed project na naguhuan at nasira ang bahagi ng istruktura ilang buwan lang matapos mabuo. Parehong useless,” the President added.
Marcos stressed that fixing such systemic failures is among his top priorities: “If there’s one thing I will not leave this office without fixing, this is one of them. Hindi natin hahayaang isugal ang buhay at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino dahil sa katiwalian at kapabayaan.”
During the inspection, the President also cited reports from a mesh supplier claiming that the material used in the rock netting project should have cost only ₱3,200 per square meter, but was charged to the government at ₱12,000 per square meter. He noted that about 75 percent of the contract budget may have gone to kickbacks.
Kennon Road, a key route linking Baguio City to the lowlands, has long been vulnerable to landslides and rockfalls, particularly during heavy rains. The mountainous road, which traverses ridges, slopes, and rivers in Tuba, remains a vital gateway to the Cordillera region’s economic hub and top tourist destination.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
