City mayors' league seeks accountability in flood control projects

MANILA, Philippines — The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), an association of the country’s city mayors, has called for transparency and accountability through a full government accounting and performance review of all flood control projects.

In a statement on Friday, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, LCP president, said the league fully supports the ongoing investigation into the alleged anomalies involving the so-called “ghost” flood control projects nationwide.

READ: Bulacan 'most notorious' in anomalous flood control projects — Lacson

Zamora cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement in his recent State of the Nation Address, in which he described the “dismal state of flood control initiatives" as a long-standing failure that continues to endanger Filipino lives.

“We, city mayors, have witnessed firsthand these alarming events that cause our constituents to suffer from loss of life and livelihood to disruptions in children’s education, as well as increased health risks such as leptospirosis brought about by unmitigated flooding,” Zamora said.

‘Report truthfully on actual status of projects’

The LCP urged relevant agencies in the national government to “cooperate fully and report truthfully on the actual status of these infrastructure programs.”

“It is imperative to put an end to corrupt and ineffective practices and instead pursue long-term solutions to flooding that are both effective and sustainable,” Zamora emphasized.

“Science and technology already offer viable strategies, particularly when aligned with climate change adaptation and sound city planning,” he added.

READ: DPWH confirms existence of ‘ghost’ flood control projects in Bulacan

Zamora said the LCP remains actively involved and welcomes the support from all sectors, including the private sector, to help mitigate flooding.

The government is currently investigating the alleged “ghost projects,” following President Marcos' recent revelation that about 20 percent of the entire P545-billion budget for flood mitigation projects was awarded to just 15 contractors.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan has also confirmed the existence of “ghost” flood control projects in some districts of Bulacan, saying that the investigation is ongoing. /jpv/abc

(2025/08/22-09:18)

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