"A crowd calls for change in governance, citing corruption, as they protest the chaotic state of flood control projects"
Protests and Calls for Transparency in Philippines' Flood Control Projects
In recent weeks, student and youth groups, along with various civil society organizations, have taken to the streets to voice their concerns over alleged corruption in the country's flood control projects. Protests were held at the DPWH Central Office in Manila and the DPWH Cebu City District Engineering Office.
The controversy has led to the resignation of Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, with his successor, Vince Dizon, taking swift action. Dizon has suspended all bidding for locally funded flood control projects, ordered courtesy resignations of all public works officials, and vowed to permanently blacklist contractors involved in fraudulent projects.
The Makati Business Club, in a joint statement with 300 other groups and individuals, expressed indignation over the flood control scandal. They demand fiscal justice, social justice, and good governance from the government. The group also urged the House and Senate to end the practice of opaque congressional insertions, especially in the bicameral conference committee.
An alliance of 30 influential Philippine business and civic organizations, including the Network of Social Workers, and Development Advocates-Philippines, has demanded an independent investigation into corruption linked to government infrastructure projects. They expressed outrage, disgust, and disappointment over the "shameful, unabated, continuing, and excessive acts of graft and corruption" by many officials.
The initial audit finding revealed that only 15 contractors cornered the bulk of flood control contracts nationwide. In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. put the national spotlight on corruption in flood control projects and ordered a performance audit of the projects.
The firms linked to the controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya have been barred from government projects after the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management canceled their Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System Platinum Membership. Protesters gathered outside the compound of St. Gerrard Construction, owned by the Discayas, and vandalized the compound's gate.
The group also recommended improving the quality of people's participation by freely and proactively disclosing documents for civic monitoring and potential citizens' participatory audits with COA. They called for an independent multisectoral review committee to study current projects and resubmit 2026 proposals based on proper science.
The President's actions triggered investigations in both houses of Congress. The alliance, along with other groups, continues to demand full and genuine transparency in flood control projects from the President, DPWH, DBM, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The protests, though pockets in nature, reflect a growing public sentiment for accountability and transparency in government projects.
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