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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Don't look at us: Ridon says Bulacan flood control project isn't a Congress insertion

Don't look at us: Ridon says Bulacan flood control project isn't a Congress insertion

Published Aug 26, 2025 03:55 pm

At A Glance

  • House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon made a crucial clarification about the flood control project in Bulacan that an angry President Marcos earlier tagged as a "ghost" project.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon made a crucial clarification about the flood control project in Bulacan that an angry President Marcos earlier tagged as a “ghost” project.
According to Ridon, the project was not an insertion made during the legislative budget process last year; meaning, Congress had nothing to do with it.
Instead, it was part of the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) directly submitted by Malacañang to the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Ridon preasented to House reporters a copy of the 2025 NEP, and highlighted the listed reinforced concrete riverwall project. The 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget--the basis of which was the NEP--also had the same project.
Ridon made this clarification even as House members continue to become the public's punching bag in connection with alleged anomalous and ghost or non-existent flood control projects.
The particular project was supposedly located in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan, and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st Engineering District.
Awarded to contractor SYMS Construction Trading, the project cost P55.7 million. Based on the Official Receipt shown by Ridon, the remaining balance to SYMS Construction was paid in full last June 30, 2025.
President Marcos visited the project site last Aug. 20 and was incensed to find out that no work had begun.
Malacañang is leading an audit on flood control projects in the country.
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