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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Documents on alleged gov't project anomalies flood Magalong 'from all over the country'

Documents on alleged gov't project anomalies flood Magalong 'from all over the country'

Published Aug 27, 2025 06:02 pm
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he has been receiving numerous documents from different parts of the country detailing alleged anomalies in government projects, many of which he intends to turn over once a formal investigating body is created.
Earlier, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Magalong had already turned over to the President documents on alleged corruption in flood control projects.
“[The documents came from] all over [the country]. Marami, marami (Many, many). Kaya nahihirapan nga ako kasi hindi nga ako ang investigating body. Mayor ako kaya hirap na hirap ako kasi hindi naman pwede yung mga staff ko nag-a-analyze (That’s why I’m having a hard time because I’m not the investigating body. I’m a mayor, I really find it hard because my staff can’t be the ones analyzing),” he said during an ambush interview during the sidelines of the event of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Pasay City on Wednesday, August 27.
Magalong, the convenor of Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), said he is waiting for President Marcos to create a formal body to handle the investigation.
“Kaya hinihintay ko na lang na mag-appoint na si, o mag-organize na si Presidente . At kung sino man yung mag-investigate talaga, formally investigate, ibibigay ko ito. I presume soon gagawa siya [ng investigating body] kasi very determined ang ating Presidente (That’s why I’m just waiting for the President to appoint or organize. And whoever will formally investigate, I will give these documents. I presume he will soon create an investigating body because our President is very determined),” he said.
The mayor disclosed that the documents he has received outlined irregularities in projects such as rock netting, asphalt overlay, cat’s eye, solar lights, and roadside barriers.
Magalong stated that the initial documents he provided to the Chief Executive only covers Baguio and Benguet.
“Immediately, nag-quick look si Presidente. Tapos with photos lahat . May numbers din siya. May amount (Immediately, the President took a quick look. Everything had photos.There were numbers, there was the amount),” the mayor said.
He added that many questionable projects were found in Benguet and Baguio, including a substandard flood control project in Camp 3.
“Na-document na nung nasira, na-document na talagang substandard (It was documented when it was damaged, it was documented that it was really substandard),” he stated.
Magalong also pointed to a “road that leads to nowhere” that was built without proper consultation.
“May ginawang projects na walang konsultasyong sa government, walang konsultasyon sa publiko, ginawa na lang yung kalsada (There were projects done without government or public consultation, the road was just built). Hindi nga namin alam kung para saan yung kalsada (We don’t even know what the road is for),” he said.
The mayor added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has refused to explain.
“And everytime we call for the DPWH, ayaw magpakita. Hihingi kami ng dokumento ayaw din magbigay ng dokumento (Every time we call for the DPWH, they refuse to show up. We ask for documents and they refuse to give them),” he said.
Magalong lamented the lack of transparency of the DPWH.
“Para silang may sariling republic . At kung may mga projects sila either sa probinsiya o siyudad ng Benguet, wala ring maayos na konsultasyon. Hindi kami nasasabihan kung ano yung projects nila. Wala kaming alam basically (It’s like they have their own republic. And if they have projects either in the province or in the city of Benguet, there is no proper consultation. We are not told what their projects are. Basically, we know nothing),” he said.
“Nakakapagtaka nga. Isipin mo kami 'yung local government kami 'yung dapat nakakaalam, kami ang walang alam (It’s puzzling. Imagine, we are the local government, we should know, yet we are the ones who don’t know),” he went on.
According to Magalong, President Marcos was infuriated after inspecting the projects in Baguio last Sunday, prompting him to issue a new policy directive requiring national government projects to be coordinated with local governments.
“Nagalit si Presidente. Kaya nga nag announce siya ng kaniyang policy statement. Henceforth, wala nang project sa National Government na hindi gagawin unless dumaan sa local government, maimpormahan ang local government. Kailangan ma-explain sa local government. Dapat maging transparent sila (The President got angry. That is why he announced his policy statement. Henceforth, no National Government project will be implemented unless it goes through the local government, the local government is informed, and it is explained to the local government. They must be transparent),” said Magalong.
“Talagang disappointed siya. Galit siya I believe that I was assessing him talagang he has the determination, conviction to make sure na before matapos ‘yung kaniyang termino something should happen. Something should really happen na dapat maramdaman ng tao (He was really disappointed. He was angry. I believe, in assessing him, that he truly has the determination and conviction to make sure that before his term ends something will happen. Something should really happen that the people will feel),” he added.
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