PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called out alleged corruption in government infrastructure projects during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28, highlighting what he described as failed and non-existent flood control initiatives.
Marcos specifically cited the recent inspections following the effects of the southwest monsoon (habagat) and storms like Crising, Dante, and Emong, which revealed problems in government responses to flooding.
“Kamakailan lamang, nag-inspeksyon ako sa naging epekto ng habagat, ng Bagyong Crising, Dante, at Emong. Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto para sa flood control ay palpak at gumuho at ‘yung iba guni-guni lang,” said Marcos.
“Huwag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkaka-racket sa mga proyekto. Mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP (standard operating procedure), for the boys.”
Without identifying specific individuals or agencies, Marcos delivered a public rebuke directed at those he said were misusing funds intended for disaster response and infrastructure.
“Mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino!” he said.
“Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo, na binulsa niyo lang ang pera.”
To prevent similar issues from recurring, President Marcos said he has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a list of all flood control projects initiated or completed across all regions in the past three years.
This list will then be reviewed by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee, which will identify unfinished, failed, or allegedly non-existent projects.
Marcos said that the list will be made publicly, once it’s completed.
“Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang lahat ng mga lalabas na may sala mula sa imbestigasyon. Pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa,” he said.
“Kailangan malaman ng taong-bayan ang buong katotohanan. Kailangang may managot sa naging matinding pinsala at katiwalian.”
Despite significant budget allocations—PHP 349.4 billion for flood control in 2025—the country continues to grapple with severe flooding. In Metro Manila, 22 out of 58 flood control contracts were delayed, while 29 projects were either canceled or not executed.
No specific names have been mentioned so far in connection with the alleged irregularities.
