The national government is now urged to seek approval from local government officials before starting any infrastructure projects in their areas of responsibility.

This was what the members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) agreed upon during its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, as the policy-making body of the National Capital Region (NCR) discussed the ongoing issue of "ghost" projects and corruption in the country's flood control initiatives.

According to San Juan City Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora, the council has passed a resolution calling for the national government to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) before implementing any infrastructure projects.

"Kami po ay nagpasa ng isang Metro Manila Council resolution kung saan nagkasundo nga po ang mga LGUs, ang mga mayors ng Metro Manila, na dapat talaga ay magkaroon ng tamang koordinasyon ang pamahalaang nasyonal sa mga lokal na pamahalaan pagdating sa mga proyektong gusto nilang ipatupad (We passed a Metro Manila Council resolution where the LGUs, the mayors of Metro Manila, agreed that the national government should have proper coordination with local governments when it comes to the projects they want to implement)," Zamora said.

"Hindi lamang ito limited sa mga flood control projects, ngunit anumang klaseng infrastructure projects. Hindi lang din ito limited sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), kundi sa lahat ng national government agencies. Kung ano mang mga infrastucture project ang gusto nilang ipatupad sa aming mga lungsod, dapat po sila ay makipag-ugnayan sa amin at dapat mayroon kaming approval sa proyektong ito (This is not just limited to flood control projects, but any kind of infrastructure projects. This is not just limited to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), but to all national government agencies. Whatever infrastructure projects they want to implement in our cities, they should contact us and we should have approval for this project)," he added.

The mayor explained that the resolution aims to ensure that all infrastructure projects in their localities are all accounted for and with proper coordination with the relevant LGU officials and agencies.

The move also makes mayors accountable should there be irregularities found in the project.

"Ito’y mahalaga para maiwasan ang mga nangyayari ngayon na bigla na lang nagsisimula ang national government agencies ng kanilang mga proyketo na hindi nakikipagugnayan sa pamahalaang lungsod. Bigla nalang naghuhukay, nagtatayo ng kung ano. Ngayon, kaya na namin suriin kung talaga bang nagawa ng tama, tama ang scope of work, at kung totoo talaga na may proyekto. Of course, we will not accept any project that is substandard or non-existent (This is important so we can avoid what is happening now where national government agencies suddenly start their projects without coordinating with the city government. They just start digging and building something without our knowledge. Now, we can then check if it was really done correctly, the scope of work is correct, and if it is true that there is a project. Of course, we will not accept any project that is substandard or non-existent)," Zamora stressed.

The MMC president noted that the passing of the resolution is in line with President Marcos' call for transparency and accountability on the flood control projects that were uncovered to be either "ghost" projects or sub-standardly built by some contractors who had the monopoly of these projects.

On Aug. 22, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), where Zamora also serves as its national president, issued a statement emphasizing the need to strictly monitor and investigate these flood control projects that cost millions, if not billions, and yet fail to deliver their promised results.

The LCP is composed of 149 city mayors who are mandated to ventilate, articulate, and crystallize issues affecting city governments and urban communities.

"The League of Cities of the Philippines, composed of the mayors of our country’s cities, strongly supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s call for a full government accounting and performance review of flood control projects. In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President highlighted the dismal state of flood control initiatives, which have persisted through the years and continue to endanger the lives of countless Filipinos, especially during recent typhoons. We, city mayors, have witnessed firsthand these alarming events that cause our constituents to suffer—from loss of life and livelihood to disruptions in children’s education, as well as increased health risks such as leptospirosis brought about by unmitigated flooding," the league said.

"We commend the President’s directives and express our full support for the ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies in the implementation of substandard and so-called “ghost” flood control projects. We urge concerned national government agencies to cooperate fully and report truthfully on the actual status of these infrastructure programs," it added.

The LCP said it is imperative to put an end to corrupt and ineffective practices and instead pursue long-term solutions to flooding that are both effective and sustainable.

"Science and technology already offer viable strategies, particularly when aligned with climate change adaptation and sound city planning. The League of Cities of the Philippines welcomes the support of various sectors, including private partners, in identifying and implementing these solutions. We remain open to dialogue, collaboration, and active participation to ensure smooth and effective execution."