President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged on Tuesday to continue providing assistance to families and communities displaced by recent flashfloods until their lives return to normal.
“Sa ating mga kababayan na dumanas ng pagbaha, pagkasira ng kabuhayan, pagkawala ng tahanan, at mahal sa buhay, patuloy po kaming maghahatid ng tulong upang muli tayong makabangon at makapagsimula,” President Marcos said.
The President made the remarks during the launch and turnover in Malacañang of the World Bank Group Philippines Country Partnership Framework for 2025-2031.
“Together, we are shaping a Bagong Pilipinas that is stronger, that is more inclusive, and that is more sustainable. A future where every Filipino has countless opportunities to live with courage, with confidence, and freedom,” the Chief Executive continued.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Marcos ordered a full audit and public disclosure of flood control projects nationwide as he denounced the misuse of public funds meant to protect communities vulnerable to flooding.
“Huwag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkaka-racket sa mga proyekto. Mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP, for the boys,” President Marcos said, using terms related to corrupt practices.
“Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino!” continued the President in the part of his speech that earned the loudest and longest applause and cheers.
President Marcos called for holding implementing agencies as well as contractors accountable for unfinished, failed, or non-existent flood mitigation works that continue to put lives and livelihoods at risk.
The Chief Executive directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a complete inventory of all flood control projects from every region that were started or completed within the last three years.
The President instructed the Regional Project Monitoring Committee to determine projects that have failed, been unfinished, or are supposedly ghost projects.
The President pledged full public transparency by publishing the audit results. | PND
