MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned government officials and contractors against pocketing public funds through ghost projects, kickbacks and substandard construction as the government releases P8.6 billion to rehabilitate disaster-stricken communities across the country.
Marcos vowed to prosecute anyone exploiting the rehabilitation program, which covers 306 local government units (LGUs) affected by typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions from 2024 to 2026.
“Bawal ang ‘ghost’ projects. Bawal ang mga komisyon. Bawal ang mga substandard na rehabilitation projects,” Marcos declared during the ceremonial release of assistance under the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP).
“Anyone who tries to profit from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos will face the full force of the law,” he added.
The President stressed that the rehabilitation funds belong to taxpayers and must be spent solely on rebuilding disaster-ravaged communities, not enriching corrupt officials and contractors.
“Pera po ito ng taumbayan at para ito sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta… Hindi ito pondo para pagkakitaan at hindi rin ito pondo para sa sinumang gustong magpayaman sa gitna ng ating mga nararamdaman na trahedya,” he said.
Marcos disclosed that more than P6 billion had already been released to recipient LGUs, while an additional allocation exceeding P2.5 billion had been approved for distribution.
“The first batch of more than P6 billion has been released, while the second batch, consisting of more than P2.5 billion, has already been approved, and we are downloading it to the LGUs as we speak,” he said.
Under the DRRAP, recipient LGUs may prioritize rehabilitation projects based on local needs, including the reconstruction of damaged roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, evacuation centers and houses, as well as the restoration of agricultural areas.
Marcos also assured local officials that political affiliations would not influence the distribution of assistance to qualified LGUs.
The P8.6-billion rehabilitation package aims to accelerate recovery, restore essential services and rebuild critical infrastructure in communities devastated by recent calamities./PN
