15 contractors cornered ₱100-B flood control projects - Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday disclosed that 15 contractors bagged ₱100 billion in flood control projects over the past three years, equivalent to a fifth of all projects nationwide.
Citing a preliminary review by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the president said ₱545 billion have been spent on flood control projects since he took office in July 2022.
“I don't know about you, but that is a very big number. By any measure, that is an enormous number,” he said during a press conference in Malacañang.
The DPWH identified 2,409 contractors for local and national projects, but the president noted that five of the 15 companies had projects across almost the entire country.
“This is another disturbing statistic: 20 percent of the entire ₱545 billion budget napunta lang sa 15 na contractors. Sa 15 na contractor na ‘yan, lima sa kanila ay may kontrata sa buong Pilipinas,” Marcos said.
[Translation: Twenty percent of the ₱545 billion budget went to just 15 contractors. Of those 15, five had contracts nationwide.]
Marcos ordered the audit to continue, saying these findings “stood out” and must be examined further. Recalling his stint as Ilocos Norte governor, he said hiring local contractors is often better for coordination and faster implementation.
The president noted that the data are initial findings and was not meant to point fingers at specific groups.
“We have provided you with some of the initial information that we have had. They are not assessments. We are not accusing anyone of anything yet,” he said.
Marcos the list 15 companies did not imply the presence of anomalies.
The president ordered the audit during the State of the Nation Address on July 28, as he denounced corruption in infrastructure projects at the expense of flood victims.
NewsWatch Plus is reaching out to the contractors named in the DPWH list. Their statements will be published as soon as they become available.
