Marcos: 64% of flood-control projects lack clear descriptions
At a press conference, Marcos said the total cost of all flood-control projects from when he assumed office in July 2022 to the present stands at P545 billion.
However, over P350 billion worth of projects—6,021 in total—'do not specify the exact type of flood control being built.'
Marcos also revealed that many of the projects are in different locations yet share exactly the same contract cost.
'I think anybody who works in either the private or public sector, if told there are 50 projects, all identical, each costing P150 million — exactly the same, all the same — would say that's impossible,' he said.
'It is impossible for one barangay, even if they are the next barangay, to have the exact same project for the exact same amount with the same contractor. That's impossible. And that is why that is a significant – significant finding already that we have made,' he added.
However, the president clarified that these cannot yet be classified as 'ghost projects,' as the investigation is still ongoing.
'If there is evidence of consumption, embezzlement, or any kind of wrongdoing, that's when we will move,' he said.
'But, again, we cannot do all of this without the help of the ordinary citizen. We need the citizen to play their part, their civic duty, to report to the government what they see as being wrong,' he added.
Marcos also noted that Metro Manila topped the list of regions with the most flood-control projects, recording 1,058 projects worth P52.57 billion.
It was followed by Central Luzon with 1,617 projects amounting to P98.01 billion and Bicol Region V with 866 projects valued at P49.61 billion. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
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