President Marcos Revives LGU Approval Practice
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to restore the practice of requiring local government unit (LGU) approval before implementing national government projects. This move specifically targets agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure greater transparency and community involvement.
During a recent inspection of a rock netting project in Tuba, Benguet, the President emphasized the importance of this four-word keyphrase: local government unit approval. Officials reported that bypassing LGUs has led to issues in project implementation and oversight.
Inspection of Controversial Rock Netting Project
On August 24, 2025, President Marcos, alongside Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and DPWH officials, examined the P114.18-million rock netting on Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 4, Tuba. The project, executed by 3K Rock Engineering, aimed to stabilize rock formations and reduce landslide risks over a 3,479-square meter area.
However, community members noted that damage and defects have surfaced since its completion in June 2019. The project’s flaws now endanger motorists and nearby residents, raising serious safety concerns.
Corruption and Overpricing Allegations
The President criticized the project for alleged corruption and overpricing. “This rock netting is very notorious for corruption. Rock netting has already been banned, but it kept being implemented,” he said. Marcos further revealed that the government was charged over P12,000 per square meter, while the actual supplier price is only P3,200.
Local leaders also reported that several other infrastructure projects in the Cordillera Administrative Region, including solar lights and safety devices, suffered from similar overpricing issues. These revelations have added urgency to the call for stricter project monitoring and LGU involvement.
Emphasizing Proper Procedures and Community Consultation
President Marcos lamented the lack of proper procedures during project implementation. He pointed out that local government officials were not consulted, and no public hearings were conducted. “The SOP (standard operating procedure) before was that before you release the project to the local government, it should be first accepted by the local government. And that’s something that we will reinstitute,” he explained.
Drawing from his experience as former Ilocos Norte governor, the President stressed that local governments are best positioned to assess project quality since they directly experience its impact. “We check and inspect government projects every single day. Not just once in a while, every single day we walk around and go around to hear reports from ordinary people — not just from officials,” Marcos added.
Additional Inspection of Rock Shed Project
Earlier that day, the President also visited a P264-million rock shed project in Barangay Camp 4 on Kennon Road. This project, also awarded to 3K Rock Engineering, was completed in April 2025 but suffered structural failures after Typhoon Emong and monsoon rains.
Marcos described the rock shed as “sloppily made” and “useless,” citing soil scouring that caused parts of the foundation to collapse. “It’s like the government threw money into the river. Useless,” he said. Officials noted that the slope protection disintegrated, allowing boulders to fall and damage the road.
The President attributed the failure to a weak and undersized protective wall that could not withstand floodwaters, further underscoring the need for proper project oversight and LGU participation.
Local Leaders Demand Inclusion in Project Planning
Local chief executives have voiced frustration over being excluded from project planning and implementation stages. They argue that their involvement is crucial to ensure that infrastructure projects meet community needs and safety standards.
By reinstating the practice of local government unit approval, the government aims to enhance accountability, prevent corruption, and protect citizens from substandard infrastructure.
For more news and updates on government infrastructure projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
