Navotas Flood Control Projects Under Scrutiny
Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco has faced calls to prioritize transparency within his own district amid ongoing concerns about flood control projects. Local leaders and officials urged the lawmaker to examine contracts awarded to companies linked to his area, particularly those involving flood control projects worth millions.
In a recent statement, Ako Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin emphasized that calls for transparency should begin at home. He noted that some contracts in Navotas have already been funded, contrasting with claims about unreleased budget insertions.
Disputed Budget Insertions and Released Funds
Garbin referred to Tiangco’s allegations against Ako Bicol colleague Elizaldy Co, who reportedly secured over P13 billion in budget insertions for 2025. However, some of the funds cited by Tiangco were confirmed to be unreleased, while approximately P529 million allocated for flood control in Navotas has been disbursed.
According to sources, a significant portion of this P529 million has gone to St. Timothy Construction Corporation, owned by contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, along with other questioned firms. These companies are currently under investigation for alleged irregularities related to so-called “ghost projects.”
Contractors Linked to Ongoing Investigations
Community members reported that another company involved is Syms Construction Trading, which was recently banned by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon due to its involvement in dubious flood control projects. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reportedly reached out to Tiangco to assist these companies in project implementation, linking the Navotas representative directly to the contractors under scrutiny.
Garbin stressed, “I’m referring to St. Timothy and SYMS Trading Construction. So he cannot deny this, because the Department of Public Works itself wrote to Toby Tiangco to assist the project implementation of St. Timothy.”
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Officials highlighted that transparency and accountability must include examining budget insertions and projects already funded in Tiangco’s district before shifting focus elsewhere. Documents confirm that the P529 million flood control projects, such as the rehabilitation of a pumping station and a flood mitigation structure along Marala River, have been downloaded and are underway.
Tiangco previously requested an investigation into Elizaldy Co’s budget amendments, urging full disclosure from the small committee handling the 2025 national budget. He also pointed out that party-lists affiliated with Co received billions in allocations from DPWH, including funds for Ako Bicol and the Barangay Health Workers group represented by Co’s niece.
House Investigations and Medical Absence
Last week, Tiangco joined other lawmakers in calling for Co’s participation in the House infrastructure committee’s probe into anomalous flood control projects. However, the House confirmed that Co is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States.
Presidential Response to Flood Project Issues
These budget transparency discussions and project investigations come in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s strong condemnation of officials and contractors accused of profiting from flood control projects that failed to protect communities. The president released a list of contractors linked to faulty or nonexistent flood control efforts, underscoring the urgency of accountability.
Marcos declared during his State of the Nation Address that those involved in these corrupt practices should feel shame for exploiting vulnerable citizens.
For more news and updates on Navotas flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
