IT'S been two weeks since Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon flooded Metro Manila and several adjacent provinces, and after Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted there was no "master plan" for flood control that was obviously needed to deal with this perennial problem. After all, it has really been one of the biggest roadblocks in our economic development.
Sen. Grace Poe has disclosed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) got P90 billion in 2020; P101 billion in 2021; P128 billion in 2022; P182 billion in 2023; and P244 billion this year for its flood management projects. Yet in 2021, the department disbursed only 68 percent, 73 percent in 2022 and 58 percent in 2023.
What the hell is the DPWH's problem?
Several senators blamed the reclamation projects in Manila Bay as one of the causes of flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Sen. Joel Villanueva was one of them and raised the issue of reclamation projects in Manila Bay during the hearing. Did they investigate their allegations? I hope these accusations are not just meant to shake down the billionaire and conglomerate owners of these projects.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should be aware that because of his mismanagement of the government in the past two years, there is increasing restiveness in the military, active or retired. We hope he still remembers February 1986, so history won't repeat itself.
Military dissatisfaction
A major indication of the military's increasing dissatisfaction over his rule is the following manifesto that has been going viral on social media, signed by military men bold enough to sign their names in support of it. The statement is titled "Manifesto Against Corruption Particularly on Flood Control Funds":
"We, concerned retired military officers and men, concerned citizens and advocates for transparency and accountability, stand together in our call to end the pervasive corruption that plagues the distribution and usage of flood control funds in our country.
"Corruption in this critical industry not only undermines public trust, but it also endangers lives and livelihoods, leaving communities vulnerable to the destruction caused by flooding.
"We demand for immediate and firm action to resolve this matter and ensure that flood control funds are handled appropriately and ethically."
The problem
"Despite trillions of pesos being committed for flood control projects, the 5,500 flood control projects boasted by President Ferdinand Marcos [Jr.] during the SONA, many areas of our country still lack adequate flood protection. This disparity raises serious suspicions about financial mismanagement and embezzlement. Corruption in flood control projects comes in a variety of forms, including:
"1. Kickbacks and bribery: Contractors are frequently forced to pay large upfront fees to secure projects, resulting in higher project costs and lower job quality.
"2. Ghost projects: Funds are allocated to projects that are never completed or do not exist, resulting in enormous financial losses and unresolved flood concerns.
"3. Substandard work: Due to unethical techniques, some projects are completed with subpar materials and workmanship, rendering them useless and prone to failure.
"4. Nepotism and agvoritism: Political relationships frequently take precedence over merit in project allocation, resulting in inefficiencies and wasted resources.
"Billions set up for flood prevention yearly are slipping into the wallets of corrupt authorities. This illegal breach of public trust jeopardizes our communities and undermines our faith in government.
"We want quick and firm action."
End the flood of corruption
"Impartial investigation: Establish an impartial organization with the authority to prosecute individuals who steal from disaster aid.
"Complete transparency: Publish all flood control project details, spending and outcomes.
"Protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
"Implement strategic reforms to prevent abuses and maximize flood protection.
"We will not be silent. We will not be ignored. We will not accept such evident theft. We urge all individuals, leaders and institutions to step forward and demand justice. This is more than a call to action; it's a declaration of war against corruption.
"The fate of our country is at risk. We will not surrender our homes, lives or dignity to the perpetrators of this tragedy. The time for empty promises is over. The time to act is now."
Join the Fight
"We urge individuals, leaders and institutions to work together to address this catastrophe. Together, we can reclaim our resources and create a safer future.
"Signed:
1. [Rank/Position, Last Name, First Name, Middle Name Initial, Status]
2. BGen Abeleda, Leandro V. II
3. BGen Acop, Rolando S. (Ret)
4. Dr. Agustin, Venus G.
5. Mgen Alcabasa, Silvino A. Jr. PA (Ret)
6. PBGen Alcoriza, Danilo J. (Ret)
7. PBGen Aliggayu, Roberto (Ret)
8. MGen Alvez, Leo (Ret)
9. PMGEN Aplasca, MA.O R. (RET)
10. LtCol Bagapuro, Dan M. PAF (Ret)
11. Cav Ballesteros, Jun
12. BGen Bañez, Armando V. (Ret)
13. PBGEN Baraceros, Noel A. (Ret)
14. PBGen Barba, Percival G. (Ret)
15. PBGen Benigay, Eddie B. (Ret)
16. Col Benitez, Ernesto P. (Ret)
17. Col Binwag, Louis Jr. B. (Ret)
18. LtGen Bonafos, John S. (Ret)
19. BGen Bonilla, Wilfredo S. (Ret)
20. Commo Buenaventura, Vicente R. (Ret)
21. BGen Cabal, Ramon (Ret)
22. RAdm Cacayan, Philip L. (Ret)
23. Col. Cacdac, Emmanuel G. Ret)
24. Col Calanoy, Salvador B. IV (Ret )
25. Vadm Calunsag, Rogelio I. (Ret).
26. BGen Camagay, Alejandro T. (Ret)
27. PBGen Campanilla, Cristino C. (Ret)
28. LTGen Canlas SR, Connor Anthony D. PAF (Ret)
29. BGen Capin̈a, Alex C. (Ret)
30. MGen Caro, Andres G. (Ret)
31. PLtGen Carta, Emmanuel R. (Ret)
32. LTCOL Caunte, Neri L. (Ret)
33. Col. Cauton, Raoul V. (Ret)
34. BGen Cenabre, Jose Johriel M. (Ret)
35. PBGen Cruz, Agrimero Jr.
36. MGen Cruz, Gamaliel S. PA (Ret)
37. Col de Hitta, Rafael (Ret)
38. MGen de Leon, Benito Antonio T. (Ret)
39. RN, de los Reyes, Linda, V. (Ret)
40. Col Delgado, Manuel C. Jr. (Ret)
41. PBGen delos Reyes, Noel O. (Ret)
42. PBGen Descanzo, Jesus Gordon P. (Ret)
43. Bgen Diapana, Rodrigo T. (Ret)
44. PBgen Dolino, Rex MA (Ret)
45. PBGen Domantay, Pepito U. (Ret)
46. LTGen Dominguez, Romeo B. AFP (Ret)
47. MGen Ecarma, Natalio C. III (Ret)
48. Capt Enriquez, Rafael Q. (Rsgnd)
49. Mr Erpe, Ahmed Y.
50. Cav Espino, Amado T. Jr. (Ret)
51. BGen Esplana, William B. (Ret)
52. Mr Fernandez, Edwin
53. MGEN Ferrer, Leo Cresente M. (Ret)
54. PBGEN Flores, Ernesto V. (Ret)
55. Flores, Maybelle C. Senior Citizen
56. PBGEN Fortes, Allen (Ret)
57. Mr Francisco, Ernesto R.
58. LtCol Francisco, Renato C. (Ret)
59. PBGen Fernandez, Jose Ernesto Jr. (Ret)
60. CAPT Gaviola, Jose Ernesto B. (Ret)
61. Col Golla, Felix Jr. (Ret)
62. Cav Gonzales, Raul
63. Col. Gopico. Alexis E. (Ret)
64. MGen Guillermo, Julius Cesar M. (Ret)
65. PBGen Gutierrez, Alejandro M. ( Ret)
66. RAdm Guzman, Armando L. PN (Ret)
67. MGen Hernandez, Virgilio A. (Ret)
68. Col Indanan, Salih (Ret)
69. PMGEN Ingking, Edgardo (Ret)
70. Col. Jabile, Norberto G. (Ret)
71. Mr Jalasco, Freddie D.
72. Ms. Jardiniano, Carmen S. Sr. Citizen
73. Jugo, Mike V.
74. Capt Langkit, Dante D.
75. PLtGen Lapeña, Isidro S. (Ret)
76. PBGen Lapira, Ismael P. (Ret)
77. Cpt Lardizabal, Roberto B. (Rsgnd)
78. PMgen Laxa, Chris A. (Ret)
79. BGen Lomeda, Jess (Ret)
80. RAdm Lopez, Rufino Jr. S. (Ret)"
Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao
X: @bobitiglao
Website: www.rigobertotiglao.com