Flood Control Funds Funneled to Favored Contractors, Raising Corruption Alarm

Commuters rely on an improvised raft, a symbol of their struggle against the consequences of alleged corruption in flood control projects.

Flood Control Funds Funneled to Favored Contractors, Raising Corruption Alarm

By TheNationaWeek.Com  I  August 26, 2025

MANILA, Philippines  – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ignited a firestorm of scrutiny over the nation’s flood control projects, revealing a deeply troubling concentration of funds in the hands of a select few contractors and raising serious questions about transparency and potential corruption. The President’s revelations have prompted a House committee to launch an investigation into the allocation of billions in public funds.

Marcos disclosed that a mere 15 contractors have secured a staggering P100 billion – 20% of nearly 10,000 flood control initiatives since 2022. He highlighted a critical lack of transparency, noting that over half of these government-funded projects – valued at over P350 billion – failed to specify the types of flood control structures being constructed or rehabilitated.

“This is a concerning assessment,” Marcos stated during a press conference at Malacañang, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability. He scrutinized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget of P545.64 billion earmarked for flood control from July 2022 to May 2025.

The contractors identified by the President as recipients of significant funding include:

• Legacy Construction Corporation
• Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corp
• St. Timothy Construction Corp
• QM Builders
• EGB Construction Corporation
• Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc
• Centerways Construction and Development Inc
• Sunwest, Inc
• Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp
• Triple 8 Construction and Supply, Inc
• Royal Crown Monarch Construction and Supplies Corp
• Wawao Builders
• MG Samidan Construction
• L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
• Road Edge Trading and Development Services

Further fueling suspicion, Marcos pointed out that several projects across different locations shared identical contract amounts, a peculiarity suggesting uniformity in design and materials regardless of varying terrains and specific needs. He also questioned the distribution of projects, noting that many were situated in areas not classified as the most flood-prone regions in the Philippines. Data from Malacañang indicated a mismatch between provinces with the highest number of flood control projects and those most vulnerable to flooding.

“I think you will notice they do not necessarily match. We need to investigate why this discrepancy exists,” he remarked.

While refraining from naming specific officials or individuals involved in questionable practices within the DPWH, Marcos stressed the need for caution and a thorough investigation before assigning blame. To promote transparency, the government has launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, encouraging citizens to report anomalies in flood control projects.

“Public involvement is crucial; I will personally review every report submitted,” he assured.

House Committee to Investigate

The President’s revelations have prompted swift action from the House Committee on Public Accounts, which will address these issues in an upcoming briefing with the DPWH. Committee Chair Rep. Terry Ridon indicated that they would examine the online project listings, the disparity between flood control projects and flood-prone areas, and the performance of the top contractors.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum have expressed outrage and called for accountability. Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco described the revelations as “alarming” and “unacceptable,” supporting the President’s initiative to confront the significant irregularities. ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio questioned whether any officials or contractors would face charges and how this situation might impact the 2026 flood control budget.

“It remains to be seen what consequences will arise from this investigation,” he stated.

The investigation comes as the budget for flood control initiatives under the DPWH has seen a steady increase since Marcos took office, rising from P128 billion in 2022 to P248 billion in the current budget, raising concerns that the potential for corruption is also growing. The probe promises to be a crucial test of the administration’s commitment to transparency and good governance.