Marcos ‘very angry’ over ₱55-M ghost riverwall project in Bulacan
Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his outrage after discovering that a ₱55-million river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan was fully paid for but never built.
“Wala kaming makita na kahit isang hollow block, isang ano ng semento, walang equipment dito. Lahat itong project na ito ghost project. Walang ginawa na trabaho dito,” Marcos said.
[Translation: We cannot see a single hollow block, not even cement or equipment. This entire project is a ghost project. No work was done here.]
According to documents from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the 220-meter reinforced concrete structure was reported 100 percent complete as of June 2025, with payments fully released. But during the inspection, the President found no trace of construction.
“Walang ginawa kahit isang araw, hindi nagtrabaho. Kahit puntahan niyo, wala kayong makikita na kahit ano,” he stressed.
[Translation: Not a single day of work was done. If you go there, you won’t see anything at all.]
Marcos said ghost projects not only waste taxpayer money but also place communities in danger.
“Kung abutin ng baha ‘yan, laglag kaagad ‘yang pader na ‘yan. Hindi tatagal ‘yan. So, substandard pa rin,” he said.
[Translation: If floodwaters hit that wall, it will collapse immediately. It won’t last. So, it’s substandard.]
“Pero ito ang ginagawa nila, talagang nakakapinsala pa sa mga local residents. So yes, I’m not disappointed, I’m angry,” he added.
[Translation: But this is what they do, and it seriously harms local residents. So yes, I’m not disappointed, I’m angry.]
Missing contract, accountability promised
The president revealed that the original contract could not be located, suggesting multiple layers of subcontracting.
“Siguro naka-ilang layer ng subcontractor kaya wala ng record. Eh ‘yun ang kailangan namin hanapin ngayon,” Marcos explained.
[Translation: Maybe it went through several layers of subcontracting, that’s why there are no records. That’s what we need to trace now.]
Marcos vowed to file charges, warning contractors and government officials that fraudulent flood control projects could be treated as economic sabotage.
