Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that private contractor companies implicated in anomalous flood control projects will be blacklisted and may face legal charges. In his “BBM Podcast Episode 3: Sa Likod ng SONA” aired on Monday, Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to holding these companies accountable for substandard work.

According to Philippines News Agency, the President has identified certain corporations that have consistently failed to deliver quality work. These companies will be prohibited from securing future government contracts. Marcos stressed the need for these contractors to justify their use of funds; failure to do so will result in further legal action.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, Marcos tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Regional Project Monitoring Committee with reviewing the last three years of flood control projects to identify those that have failed or are non-existent. The President issued a stern warning to those responsible for the inadequate projects, highlighting the suffering they have caused to the Filipino people.

Marcos shared that his decision to address the issue publicly during his SONA was influenced by the destruction caused by recent typhoons and the resulting substandard flood control measures. He described the dire conditions in evacuation centers, emphasizing the unacceptable hardships faced by affected families.

Without naming the involved parties, Marcos mentioned that some contractors are already infamous for fraudulent activities. He assured that accountability will be enforced, regardless of any political alliances, and encouraged citizens to report any irregularities they have witnessed in flood control projects. The President’s initiative aims to ensure transparency and accountability in government projects moving forward.