President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected a river protection project in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan on Friday, acting on one of the complaints filed via the new sumbongsapangulo.ph website.

During the inspection, President Marcos pointed out that despite official records stating the structure was successfully completed, on-site assessment revealed that more than 200 meters of the dike were never installed, and some sections had already collapsed.

“Mahigit sa dalawang-daang metro, hindi ginawa. Hindi inilagay tapos nasira. Basta’t wala na talagang inilagay,” President Marcos said, pointing to the dike construction that was left unfinished by the contractor.

“Pero ‘pag titingnan n’yo ang report namin ay dapat completed na ito eh. Nakalagay doon na na-inspection na, completed na, wala nang problema,” the President pointed out.

The President expressed dismay over signs of poor workmanship, including structural gaps and steel reinforcements not embedded correctly in the ground, allowing water to seep.

“Butas-butas pala itong mga dike na ito. Dapat buo ito. Dahil sa report namin completed na ito,” the Chief Executive said.

“Bukod pa doon, may question sa kalidad ng flood protection natin dahil ‘yung bakal na nandoon sa loob parang hindi na nakabaon sa lupa kaya’t dumadaan ‘yung tubig sa ialalim naman. Pumapasok ang tubig.”

President Marcos said the contractor, St. Timothy Construction, would be summoned to explain the project deficiencies.

“Kailangan pasagutin natin kung bakit ganito ang ginawa nila. Mas mabuti pa, pumunta sila rito at makita nila kung gaano kahirap ang buhay na ibinigay nila sa mga kababayan natin,” the President ordered.

The President also questioned the absence of dredging and desiltation works, which are supposed to be incorporated in all flood control projects.

“Nandoon din sa record na may desiltation doon. Eh ang babaw na, natubuan na ng halaman. Ganoon katagal sila hindi nagde-desilt. Pero sa record nakalagay desilted. Pambihira,” President Marcos said, adding that an island has formed in the middle of the river due to silt buildup.

President Marcos ordered the flow of project funds to be traced and held accountable to those who certified the project as complete despite the evident shortcomings.

“Lahat ng kasama doon, itra-trace natin saan nanggaling itong mga programang ito, saan napunta ang pondo, at sino ang pumirma na sinabi okay lahat… Eh hindi naman ganoon na completed, ang liwa-liwanag,” the President emphasized.

On Aug. 11, President Marcos launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, urging citizens to fulfill their civic duty by directly reporting to him any non operational or anomalous flood control projects in their areas.

The website, sumbongsapangulo.ph, was created in line with the President’s order during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to investigate irregularities in flood control projects in light of repeated widespread flooding during the typhoon season. | PND