Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed his willingness to spearhead the investigation into corruption linked to infrastructure projects involving legislators and other government officials. His remarks came in response to a challenge from Rep. Terry Ridon, chairman of the House committee on accounts, who urged Magalong to present his evidence. Magalong stated, “Just call me, no more useless talk,” emphasizing that he should be treated as a resource person during the inquiry rather than an accused individual.
Magalong, a former police general and head of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, has experience with congressional hearings. He criticized the typical nature of such inquiries which often involve grandstanding. When he presents his findings, Magalong insists that it should be straightforward, stating, “The contract price alone and the detailed unit price analysis, you’ll see it there at once; that’s already evidence. But they don’t want to look.”
In a related development, Science Secretary Renato Solidum highlighted the need for an integrated flood management approach to tackle the long-standing flooding challenges in the Philippines. Solidum pointed out the significance of addressing structural anomalies in flood control projects, as mentioned by President Marcos during his recent State of the Nation Address. The call for innovation in disaster preparedness was reinforced during a press conference held after Luzon experienced severe flooding from the southwest monsoon and several tropical cyclones.
Solidum emphasized the importance of viewing the entire watershed collectively, from the mountains to the shoreline, addressing various types of floods rather than relying solely on structural solutions. He also raised concerns regarding urbanization’s impact on drainage systems, emphasizing that construction activities must consider the potential runoff and drainage issues.
To further enhance disaster preparedness, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has initiated an infrastructure audit program aimed at assessing vital local government infrastructure. This assessment program will prioritize local public buildings that provide essential services, including schools and hospitals, while excluding privately owned structures. The DILG plans to compile these audit findings into an integrated database to enhance future planning and disaster response efforts.
