MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday (Aug. 15) pledged to take decisive action against individuals involved in the deteriorating flood control infrastructure in Calumpit, Bulacan.
Marcos made the vow after inspecting the rehabilitation of the river protection structure along Barangay Bulusan and the flood mitigation structure in Barangay Frances.
“Hahanapin natin kung sinong responsible dito, sa gobyerno, sa private. Kailangan managot sila sa kanilang ginawa,” he said in an interview after the site inspection.
The river protection structure was built by St. Timothy Construction Corporation, while the flood mitigation structure was constructed by Wawao Builders.
The two firms are among the top 15 contractors that secured most of the flood control projects nationwide.
Marcos flagged the substandard flood control work of the two contractors, citing the signs of concrete deterioration caused by their failure to comply with project specifications.
He noted that both contractors reported the flood mitigation projects as “completed.”
“Hindi ginawa. Ito na naman, the same thing. Kapag titignan mo ‘yung mga report sa atin, completed lahat, meron na naman iyan,” Marcos said. “Tapos, ito na naman ‘yung quality. Madaling-madaling makita.”
Marcos also expressed dismay over the contractors’ false claims regarding the completion of dredging and desilting works in areas where the flood control structures were built.
“Meron dapat desiltation. Doon na naman sa kontrata, desiltation, dredging, completed. Tignan naman niyo, paano magiging completed iyan. Tignan niyo, may isla sa gitna, tinutubuan ng damo. Masukal na iyan. Ibig sabihin, matagal na silang hindi nagde-dredge,” he said.
Source: PNA
