Oriental Mindoro solon denies link to ‘anomalous’ flood control projects

Metro Manila, Philippines - Oriental Mindoro Rep. Arnan Panaligan denied involvement in supposed irregular flood control projects after Senator Ping Lacson flagged the projects in the province.

In a privilege speech at the Senate on Wednesday, Aug. 20, Lacson revealed substandard and ghost flood control projects in Luzon, including Oriental Mindoro.

While he understood Lacson’s intention, Panaligan stressed that he did not request for any budget for flood control projects.

“Wala tayong papel sa paglilista ng mga proyektong ‘yan. Ang tunay na sistema diyan ay dumarating sa Kongreso ang NEP (National Expenditure Program), nakalista na ang flood control projects na ‘yan… Ang implementor niyan ay walang iba kundi ang regional office ng DPWH (Department of Public works and Highways),” the province’s 1st District representative said.

[Translation: We do not have any role on those projects. The system is: the NEP will be transmitted to Congress with the flood control projects already included. The project implementer is none other than the DPWH regional office.]

“Sa tingin ko ay parang unfair na tayo ay makaladkad doon na hindi naman tayo ang naglagay ng proyektong ‘yan; hindi tayo ang nag-prioritize,” Panaligan said, adding that he is willing to sit down with Lacson to clear things up.

[Translation: I think it is unfair for me to be dragged in the mess when I did not even list and prioritize those projects.]

The lawmaker agreed that the projects may be considered anomalous as those have been easily destroyed. He shared that he wrote a letter to the DPWH last year, asking to repair a damaged project.

Panaligan also said having flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro is not questionable as it is prone to floods.

“Ang [What’s] questionable ‘yung [is the] implementation ng [of the] DPWH kasi may nasira [because of the damage]. ‘Yun ang dapat na ayusin [They have to fix it],” he said.

Panaligan assured that there are no congressmen-contractors in Oriental Mindoro.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Lacson earlier said there are at least 67 congressmen who receive kickbacks from flood control projects for acting as contractors.

The Senate began its inquiry into the purported corruption hounding flood control projects.

READ: 5 top contractors of flood control projects lacked capital - Gatchalian

The House of Representatives, meanwhile, will review the status of infrastructure programs.

READ: Premature to probe possible lawmaker-contractors in infra, flood control projects - Ridon