NEGROS OCCIDENTAL-based Legacy Construction Corporation (LCC) is currently “in a pickle”. It topped the list of the country’s top 15 contractors that, according to President Bongbong Marcos, got 20% or P100 billion of the P536-billion worth of government anti-flood projects since 2022.
“In a pickle” is an old English idiom which means to be in a difficult or tricky situation — one that’s often awkward or potentially embarrassing.
The President’s disclosure tickled the minds of many. Malacañang will assess or probe these flood control projects.
‘SUMBONG SA PANGULO’
LCC is owned by rich Negrense Alex Abelido, so yours truly took time to sit down in front a desktop and did a comprehensive data gathering.
I visited the government’s “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website and found out that LCC has 28 flood control projects in 12 cities and municipalities. All of the 28 projects cost P2.109 billion
THE PROJECTS
In Bacolod City:
* revetment with flood wall in Mandalagan River – P69,163,480
* Lupit River flood control structure (Phase 7) – P96,500,000
* revetment with flood wall in Loygoy Creek, Barangay 41 – P91,675,000
In Victorias City:
* flood control structure along Malihaw River in barangays VI-A and IX – P86,847,967
In Manapla:
* break water in Barangay Tortosa – P4,947,977.52
In EB Magalona:
* flood control in Barangay Alicante – P49,497,759.51
In Talisay City:
* flood control structure in Matab-ang River – P48,998,001.04
In La Castellana:
* Indurawan River slope protection (right bank) – P96,499, 992.77
* Indurawan River slope protection – P96,499,993
* Camansi River slope protection at Camansi bridge, Barangay Robles – P54,900,000
In Isabela:
* Binalbagan River slope protection at the junction of Bagonawa-La Castellana-Isabela Road – P96,5000,000
* Guintubhan River bank slope protection along Binalbagan-Isabela Road – P96,016,865
* Binalbagan River bank slope protection (Phase 2) – P96,5000,000
* Binalbagan River bank slope protection in Barangay Rumirang – P95,052,445
* Binalbagan River slope protection in Barangay Bungahin – P96,500,000
* Guitubhan River bank slope protection along Binalbagan-Isabela Road – P96,500,000
* Binalbagan River slope protection – Alicante bridge – P96,500,000
* Binalbagan River slope protection in Barangay 5 – P9,052,250
In Himamaylan City:
* Su-ay River slope protection in Barangay Su-ay – P49,000,000
In Binagbagan:
* Binalbagan River slope protection – P49,000,000
* grouter rip-rap and line canal – P9,899,983.10
* Binalbagan River bank slope protection in Barangay San Jose – P99,000,000
* Binalbagan River bank slope protection in Barangay Camoros – P88,258,900
In Hinigaran:
* Binalbagan River bank slope protection downstream – P96,500,000
* Binalbagan River bank slope protectiom upstream – P98,933,348
In Ilog:
* flood mitigating structure at Ilog- Bungol River – P89,262,500
* another flood mitigating structure at Ilog-Bungol River – P54,900,000
In Kabankalan City:
* flood mitigating structure at Ilog-Hilabangan River – P96,500,000
FLOODED
Take note, 23 of these flood control projects were flooded in July.
The two-day flooding in Bacolod and Talisay on July 11 and 12 due to heavy downpour brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) didn’t spare flood control works in Mandalagan and Matab-ang rivers in Bacolod and Talisay, respectively.
The July 17- 20 floods caused by continues rain spawned by tropical cyclones “Crising” and “Dante” also hit the entire southern Negros Occdiental, including flood control structures in Binalabagan, Inurawan Su-ay, and Ilog-Hilabangan rivers.
PROMINENT FIGURE
Alex Abelido, LCC’s top honcho, is a prominent figure in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
Remember Dominador Abelido of Victorias Milling Company? He is Alex’s dad.
Alex is also a kasimanwa (townmate) of Bacolod congressman Albee Benitez in Victorias City.
Recently, Cong. Albee pushed for an investigation of flood control projects nationwide, and urged Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence once the investigation kicks off.
But the Bacolod solon also clarified that the President never said there were anomalies as to the projects undertaken by LCC.
So it is quite interesting that President Marcos would order a comprehensive review of all government flood control projects. What is the country’s Chief Executive up to?
By the way, LCC is also the contractor of the P600-million legislative building of Bacolod, still under construction. For this project, the city government secured a P4.4-billion loan back in 2023 during the Benitez administration.
LCC is also the contractor of the almost P600-million Bacolod City General Hospital that is set to be completed in 2027.
As to the flood control projects, let’s wait and see for the result of President Marcos’ call to review them.
Quite exciting. Abangan!/PN
