President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday, August 24, inspected what he described as “useless” public works projects in Benguet province, joined by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan.
Marcos said his visit to the PhP264 million rock shed project and the PhP114 million rock netting project along Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 4 was prompted by reports from local government units.
Kennon Road, a key gateway to Baguio City, has long been prone to landslides and rockfalls.
“Mayor Benjie has been very vocal about the problems that we have. That’s why napunta ako dito,” he told reporters.
The President later joined Magalong in Barangay Camp 7 to inspect a mountainside road work near the Kennon Road view deck, which the mayor described as a “road to nowhere.”
Magalong also handed over a set of documents to the Chief Executive during the visit.
The President also condemned the two projects in Tuba as substandard and dangerous. “Isang PhP114-milyong rock netting project na ginawa pa noong 2018–2019, overpriced, substandard, at imbes na magbigay-proteksyon ay naglagay pa ng buhay sa panganib,” he said.
He added that the rock shed, worth over PhP260 million, was damaged only months after completion.
Marcos said a supplier disclosed that the steel mesh used for the netting cost the government PhP12,000 per square meter despite a market price of only PhP3,200.
The President added that as much as 75 percent of the contract budget may have gone to kickbacks.
“If there’s one thing I will not leave this office without fixing, this is one of them. Hindi natin hahayaang isugal ang buhay at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino dahil sa katiwalian at kapabayaan,” the President said.
