Twenty percent of the entire PHP 545 billion flood control projects budget went to the 15 local contractors listed nationwide, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed.
The President raised the disturbing statistic during a press conference on Monday, August 11, revealing that five of the 15 contractors have projects in almost all regions nationwide.
Marcos justified that choosing local contractors was in part, because of providing jobs for smaller contractors, and the efficiency in communication and influence. Despite this, the President emphasized that authorities need to look into the issue.
“That for me was the one that stood out very much. Five of these contractors had projects in almost the entire country. Those are the ones that immediately popped out na sa aking palagay ay kailangan natin tingnan,” he explained.
As the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) website on flood control rolls out today, the President reiterated that they have yet to investigate further on the said statistic.
“They are not assessments. We are not accusing anyone of anything yet. However it gives us an idea of how this has been conducted,” he stated.
