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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ridon: Congress can't be blamed for substandard Bulacan projects, they're from NEP

Ridon: Congress can't be blamed for substandard Bulacan projects, they're from NEP

Published Aug 27, 2025 11:02 am

At A Glance

  • Like the now notorious "ghost" flood control project in Bulacan, the two other flood control projects in the same province that President Marcos found to be substandard technically cannot be blamed on Congress insertions.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (PPAB)
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (PPAB)


Like the now notorious "ghost" flood control project in Bulacan, the two other flood control projects in the same province that President Marcos found to be substandard technically cannot be blamed on Congress insertions.
This, after House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon clarified in a statement Wednesday morning, Aug. 27 that both projects were proposed by Malacañang to solons through its submission of the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The NEP serves as basis for the enacted budget measure, or General Appropriations Act (GAA)
"The 96.4-million rehabilitation of river protection structure along Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan project implemented by the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) District Engineering Office and St. Timothy Construction Corporation was in the 2022 NEP and the 2022 [GAA]," Ridon said.
The President had earlier demanded an explanation from the contractor, stating, “Kailangan pasagutin natin kung bakit ganito ang ginawa nila (We need them to answer why they did this)."
Ridon said the St. Timothy project was included in the Duterte administration-proposed 2022 NEP and 2022 GAA, but it was completed during the Marcos administration on Feb. 2 2023.
"On the other hand, the 77.19-million construction of flood mitigation structures along Barangay Frances, Calumpit, Bulacan project implemented by the DPWH First District Engineering Office and Wawao Builders was in the 2023 NEP and the 2023 GAA," Ridon added.
According to a description by government media, the project has already shown signs of concrete deterioration, with exposed loose cables and wires.
On Tuesday, Ridon--a co-chairman of the tri-committee (tri-comm) tasked to hold an House inquiry on the flood control projects mess--said the ghost project discovered by Marcos last Aug. 20 in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan was actually listed on the 2025 NEP.
The DPWH-implemented project cost P55.7 million, and was already marked as completed. However, it was non-existent.
Ridon made these clarification even as House members continue to become the public's punching bag in connection with alleged anomalous and ghost flood control projects. The solons are being blamed for inserting such projects during the budget process after receipt of the NEP.
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