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‘Band-aid solution’: Marcos’ drive against dodgy flood control may fall short of real reforms

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (right) visiting the town of Baliuag in Bulacan on Aug 20 to inspect a 55-million-peso river wall that turned out to be a ghost project.

PHOTO: PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Summary

• President Marcos found nothing during a surprise visit to inspect a river wall in Baliuag town said to have been built in June, and vowed to take action against those responsible for the subterfuge.
• A website launched in August for citizens to report anomalous projects has received over 1,000 reports of alleged “ghost” projects nationwide.
• Analysts warn that the latest anti-corruption drive must be impartial and lead to structural reforms, not just penalise the small fish.

AI generated

MANILA – The sky was overcast on Aug 20 when Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr arrived in Baliuag town, north of capital Manila, expecting to see a 220-metre river wall built to shield the villagers from floods.

Instead, there was nothing: The riverbank was overgrown with weeds, its waters rushing dangerously close to wooden homes that residents abandon each time it stormed. Records from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showed that the 55 million-peso (S$1.24 million) structure was completed in June.