PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is seriously considering the idea of adding an extra bureaucratic layer before the national government releases payment for flood control infrastructure projects.
During the regular press briefing, Undersecretary Claire Castro, in her capacity as Palace Press Officer, said that the President is backing up stronger local government oversight for flood-control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
According to Castro, the President is contemplating on delegating local government units to inspect projects before the national government releases payment to the private contractor.
Citing the issue raised by Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, who earlier claimed that around P41 billion worth of flood-control projects in the province had not been coordinated with the provincial government, Castro said the President wants to make sure the DPWH is coordinating with the LGUs.
Aside from Bulacan, the Palace mouthpiece hinted at similar concerns in flood-affected areas of Central Luzon during the President’s recent inspection.
The President, she added, was also told that some DPWH projects had not been properly reported or turned over to the local government — “Wala pong turnover sa LGU ng mga proyekto ng DPWH.”
“Kailangan may say at meron turnover na magaganap from DPWH to the local government para macheck bago ito mabayaran ng buo,” she further averred.
She said the President does not want a system in which local governments are unaware of projects being implemented within their jurisdictions.
