By CESAR JOLITO III
The People’s Coalition for Good Governance (PCGG) has issued a strong call for accountability within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), denouncing what it described as a deep-seated culture of corruption involving politicians and contractors in infrastructure projects.
PCGG convenor Wennie Sancho, in a statement on Tuesday, September 2, said the “unholy alliance” between corrupt officials and private contractors has led to the proliferation of substandard infrastructure projects that not only waste taxpayers’ money but also put public safety at risk.
“The DPWH, which is supposed to build and maintain essential infrastructure such as bridges and farm-to-market roads, has become a breeding ground for corruption,” Sancho stressed in a statement.
“Instead of delivering quality projects, funds are siphoned off, leaving behind roads that quickly deteriorate, flood control systems that fail, and even bridges that collapse,” he added.
Sancho warned that the continuing misuse of public funds could have far-reaching consequences.
“If corruption remains unchecked, our economy will stagnate, public trust in government will further erode, and the future will be bleak for ordinary Filipinos,” he said.
According to Sancho, the problem persists because those involved in anomalous deals thrive unchecked — living in luxury while ordinary citizens endure daily hardships brought about by poor infrastructure and inefficient governance.
The PCGG urged stronger mechanisms for transparency and accountability, saying that systemic reforms are necessary to protect public resources and restore trust in government institutions.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. emphasized that no official or entity involved in the corruption of public funds through such flood control projects will be exempt from charges.
Data from isumbongsapangulo.ph revealed that 23 towns and cities in Negros Occidental have already benefited from DPWH-funded flood control projects since 2022.
Bacolod City topped the list with 47 projects, followed by Binalbagan with 29, while the cities of Silay and Victorias had 16 each.
The cities of Cadiz, Talisay and San Carlos had 12 projects each; Kabankalan City had 10 projects; Sagay City and La Castellana had six each; while Bago City, as well as the towns of Manapla and Ilog, had four projects each.
Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Valladolid, and Sipalay City had three projects each, while La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, and Calatrava had two projects each.
Himamaylan City had one project.
The projects form part of the national government’s ongoing effort to strengthen infrastructure against flooding, which remains one of the biggest threats to agriculture, livelihoods and communities in the province.
The data comes at a time when flood control projects have drawn public scrutiny, with calls for greater transparency and accountability over the selection of contractors, project costs, and quality of implementation.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II earlier said the Negros Occidental provincial government had not directly received or funded any flood control project and denied any involvement in so-called “ghost projects.”
Meanwhile, in capital Bacolod City, Mayor Greg Gasataya warned erring contractors that they could soon face termination and blacklisting as the city government is stepping up its efforts to hold construction firms accountable for delayed flood control and drainage projects in the city.
“Contractors who fail to perform will not be tolerated. They may be blacklisted from future city government projects,” Gasataya warned.
Two drainage projects are now under review for possible contract termination due to significant delays.
These include drainage projects at Purok Nangka in Barangay 3 and near the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area — both awarded to the same contractor./CJ, WDJ