By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday denounced as “useless” the PHP260-million rock shed project along Kennon Road, which collapsed during a series of weather disturbances in July.
During his inspection of the slope protection project in Tuba, Benguet, the President vowed to restore local government units’ (LGUs) oversight functions in infrastructure projects to prevent similar failures, saying faulty works severely affect livelihoods.
Marcos confirmed reports that the structure’s slope protection disintegrated, causing soil collapse, rock fall and the closure of a portion of the vital thoroughfare — a major economic lifeline.
“Here is the problem here, this PHP260-million project — useless. Parang tinapon mo ‘yung pera sa ilog (Here’s the problem — this PHP260 million project is useless. It’s as if the money were just thrown into the river). Useless,” the President, accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, said.
“You can see for yourself that this was not done properly, because the supposed slope protection here has already given way.”
Magalong has accused some lawmakers – but did not name names yet – of getting kickbacks of as much as 30 to 40 percent of the budget for flood control and infrastructure projects. He also volunteered to head the investigation.
The 152-meter, two-lane rock shed, built by 3K Rock Engineering under the 2022 Department of Public Works and Highways program, began on Jan. 10, 2023 and was declared completed April 13, 2025.
Just months later, a cave-in destroyed part of its approach, leaving it impassable.
Marcos said rebuilding would now cost at least PHP500 million, nearly double the original contract price.
The inaccessibility of the rock shed project has cut the livelihood of Kennon Road residents by 35 percent, the Chief Executive added.
“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,” Marcos said.
“These people are simply trying to earn a living, yet 35 percent of their livelihood was taken from them just so government funds could be pocketed.”
LGUs oversight function
Marcos also hit the lack of LGU consultation, recalling that projects used to require village, municipal and provincial hearings, with local governments giving formal acceptance before completion.
Marcos, who served as governor of Ilocos Norte from 1998 to 2007, recalled that the old system required consultations with LGUs, both for minor and major projects.
“There would be hearings from the barangay, to the municipality, up to the province,” he said.
“Kapag natapos na ang project, dati may acceptance ang LGU… pero tinanggal na iyon kaya wala na silang magawa kahit hindi maganda ang pagkagawa (Before, once a project was completed, the LGU had to formally accept it… but that process was removed, leaving them powerless even if the work was poorly done),” Marcos explained.
He vowed to restore the practice as “an important layer of protection” and to ensure quality and accountability
“Mabigat ang gagampanan na role ng ating local government (The local government has a big role to perform),” he said.
The Kennon Road project is the latest anomalous flood control-related work inspected by Marcos following his launch of the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” (Report to the President) website on Aug. 11 to crowdsource corruption reports.
Magalong’s views
Magalong previously suggested that Kennon Road be privatized for better management.
“A thorough scrutiny will lead to a better master plan for Kennon,” he said in a previous interview. “For us to maintain it, we should privatize it and avoid it from becoming a money-making structure.”
The soon-to-be-formed House of Representatives tri-committee that will investigate alleged anomalous flood control projects will invite the former police officer to shed light on his allegations, according to Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, who is also the chair of the Committee on Public Accounts. (With reports from Darryl John Esguerra/ PNA)
