The soil collapse and rock fall resulted in damage to the rock shed structure and the closure of a portion of Kennon Road, which is a major thoroughfare.
ANOTHER day, another cause to be angry.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. described as totally “useless” the PhP264 million rock shed project along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, the latest anomalous flood control-related project personally inspected by the Chief Executive.
In an angry outburst during the early Sunday inspection, President Marcos confirmed reports from the local government units (LGUs) that the project’s supposed slope protection has disintegrated and did not prevent the soil collapse and rock fall last July 25 and 26 amid Typhoon “Emong” and monsoon rains.
The soil collapse and rock fall resulted in damage to the rock shed structure and the closure of a portion of Kennon Road, which is a major thoroughfare.
“Here is the problem here, this 260 million project – useless. Parang tinapon mo ‘yung pera sa ilog. Useless,” the President said in his remarks.
“I think you can see for yourself na talagang hindi trinabaho nang mabuti ito dahil ‘yung ginawang slope protection supposedly dito ay bumigay na,” the President also said.
“The 260 million that the government spent for this project had no effect whatsoever as to protect the slope. Parang walang ginawa… Kaya ang balor ng kanilang trabaho is zero, complete zero,” the Chief Executive continued.
The 152-meter, two-lane rock shed project along Kennon Road meant to protect motorists from rock falls and landslides has a contract cost of PhP264.19 million that was awarded to the contractor, 3K Rock Engineering.
Funded under the Fiscal Year 2022 infrastructure program, the project officially started on January 10, 2023 and was listed as officially completed on April 13, 2025.
President Marcos said reconstructing the project would cost the government at least twice the original amount, or at least PhP500 million.
The President reiterated his order to charge those involved in the anomalous project with economic sabotage, citing not only the road closure but the economic loss to businesses and people’s livelihoods by as much as 35 percent, based on LGUs’ estimate.
“It is not only the physical damage that we can see, but it is also the damage to the economy. It is also the damage to the people’s livelihood,” President Marcos said.
“Naghahanapbuhay lang naman itong mga taong ito, tinanggal sa kanila 35 percent ng kanilang hanapbuhay para ibulsa ang pera ng gobyerno,” the President added.
This was the latest flood control project inspected by President Marcos since launching last August 11 the Sumbong sa Pangulo website for corruption-tainted flood control projects.
The President was accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan as well as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.
