Philippine⁣ Manufacturers Urge Accountability in Flood Control‍ Project Investigations

MANILA – ⁤An investigation into ⁤flood control projects ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is crucial for ensuring accountability⁣ and safeguarding the⁣ Filipino people, according to the federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), a ‌leading organization‌ representing manufacturers‌ and producers in the Philippines.

In a statement released Friday, the FPI ​expressed alignment with the‌ President’s concerns regarding irregularities in these projects. ​ “Corruption and negligence in flood control projects are not just wastes of taxpayer money-thay endanger⁣ lives and undermine⁣ confidence in government programs,” the FPI stated.

the organization pointed to troubling reports surfacing about the projects, including instances of undocumented work,⁢ identical contract values across different projects, and the alleged use of substandard materials. “Reports of undocumented‌ projects, identical contract amounts, and the use of substandard ‍works⁣ are not⁣ just signs of corruption-they are threats to public safety, industry⁤ operations, ⁣and national resilience,” the‍ FPI emphasized.

The ‌FPI ⁣underscored the⁤ critical importance‌ of effective flood control ⁣measures, stating, ‍”Flood control is too important to ‌be compromised.” They explained that failures or‌ fraudulent practices ​in these projects leave Filipino communities and industries vulnerable to devastating floods, resulting in damage to ⁣homes, agricultural‌ lands,⁢ factories, and vital ​supply chains.

The group called for a multi-faceted approach to‍ address the issues, including increased accountability, greater openness in project implementation, the adoption of higher technical standards, rigorous monitoring and enforcement of regulations, and strict adherence to Philippine National Standards ​(PNS) for all related projects.

The FPI ‍also commended‌ the ‍establishment of the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” platform,​ a direct channel for citizens to report suspected anomalies in ⁢government projects. This initiative, they believe, will play a vital role in uncovering and‌ addressing‌ corruption.

“Flood control must be ​anchored on accountability, strict monitoring, and uncompromising compliance with PNS. Only then can infrastructure truly ‌protect our people, our industries, and our future,” ‍the FPI concluded.

The investigation, initiated by President Marcos Jr., aims‍ to ⁣address concerns⁤ about the effectiveness and integrity of flood control infrastructure across the​ nation. The FPI’s support signals⁤ a ​broader call for good governance and responsible use of public funds.

This is a​ developing story.

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