REPRESENTATIVE Terry Ridon, Co-Chair of the House Infrastructure Committee, stated that the substandard projects in Bulacan inspected by President Marcos originated in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposed by the executive branch to Congress.
Similar to the “ghost project” in Baliuag, Bulacan, the other two projects inspected by the President were proposed by the executive, as indicated in the NEP for 2022 and 2023.
The P96.4 million Rehabilitation of River Protection Structure along Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan project, implemented by the DPWH First District Engineering Office and St. Timothy Construction Corporation, was included in the 2022 NEP and the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The President had earlier demanded an explanation from the contractor, stating, “We need to hold them accountable for why they did this.” The P77.19 million Construction of Flood Mitigation Structures along Barangay Frances, Calumpit, Bulacan project, implemented by the DPWH First District Engineering Office and Wawao Builders, was in the 2023 NEP and the 2023 GAA.
According to government media, the project has already shown signs of concrete deterioration, with exposed loose cables and wires.
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