ILOILO—Amid rising doubts over the integrity of flood control projects in northern Iloilo, 5th District Provincial Board member Rolex Suplico has introduced a resolution demanding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 to release detailed records of multimillion-peso infrastructure contracts in his district.
The resolution specifically requires Regional Director Joel Limpengco to submit project documents such as programs of work, detailed unit price analyses, bills of quantities, and the names and addresses of contractors for all flood control projects implemented in the 5th District since July 1, 2022.
In a privilege speech, Suplico questioned flood control works in Ajuy town — specifically in Barangay Barrido (P203.461 million), Barangay Pili (P240.723 million), and Barangay Mangorocoro (P411.430 million) — with a combined cost of P855.614 million. He stressed that local complaints highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Suplico also linked his call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address, where the chief executive blasted corruption in flood control projects. He cited nationwide data showing that since July 2022, DPWH allocated P548 billion for 9,855 flood control projects, but P100 billion — or one-fifth of the total — was cornered by only 15 contractors.
Among them is a Cebu-based contractor that, according to Suplico, despite having only P1.2 million in paid-up capital and zero declared income for nearly a decade, has secured 93 contracts worth P7.383 billion, including a P95.3-million project in Barangay Mangorocoro, Ajuy.
However, fellow 5th District Provincial Board member Nielito Tupas said, While we must demand accountability, we should not single out the 5th District in our demand for a performance audit and review. Instead, let us apply scrutiny across the entire Iloilo Province.”/PN
