Corruption Unveiled in Quezon City Flood Control Projects
Quezon City’s flood control projects have come under intense scrutiny as officials reveal widespread corruption. The lack of approval for these projects highlights how flood control projects are being used as ATMs by corrupt officials and contractors, local leaders noted. This troubling pattern has raised serious concerns about the misuse of billions intended to protect residents from flooding.
In a recent disclosure, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte exposed alarming irregularities in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control initiatives within the city. Out of 254 flood control projects worth P14.24 billion, only two have received the necessary Certificate of Coordination since 2021, officials reported. This gap points to systemic issues in project approval and implementation.
Investigations Reveal Inconsistencies and Anomalies
Further investigations by the local government uncovered a range of discrepancies. These included inconsistent project sites and titles, numerous project phases, projects marked complete despite ongoing construction, and identical contract costs for projects in different locations. Community members expressed frustration over where the allocated billions have gone, questioning if the funds have simply vanished beneath floodwaters in areas like Elliptical Road, Katipunan, and Mother Ignacia.
Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio asked, “Where did the billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects go? Did it also submerge in the flood like Elliptical Road, Katipunan and Mother Ignacia?”
Metro Manila’s Flood Issues Reflect Broader Corruption
The Makabayan bloc emphasized that this pattern of anomalous flood control projects is not limited to Quezon City but is pervasive across Metro Manila. Assistant Minority Leader and Kabataan party-list Representative Renee Louise Co stated that the recurring floods are not natural disasters but consequences of a system prioritizing profit over public welfare. She pointed out that billions meant for flood control have instead lined the pockets of corrupt contractors.
Among the implicated companies are EGB Construction Corp. and Triple 8 Construction and Supplies, Inc., which have secured a combined P100 billion worth of flood control projects since 2022, officials reported. These firms, along with others, are now under close examination as authorities seek to hold them accountable.
House Probe and Government Response
The House of Representatives is set to launch a comprehensive investigation into the DPWH’s handling of flood control infrastructure projects. Scheduled for Tuesday, the inquiry will invite all 15 contractors involved in these major projects to provide testimony. This probe aims to uncover the full extent of corruption and mismanagement.
In response to mounting scrutiny, the DPWH has established an Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Committee to address allegations and prevent further abuses. This move signals an effort to restore public trust amid ongoing investigations.
For more news and updates on Quezon City flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
