President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called attention to what he described as “disturbing” figures showing that a small group of contractors cornered a significant share of the country’s flood control projects over the past three years.
Citing government data during a briefing on Monday, Marcos revealed that just 15 contractors, out of more than 2,000 accredited nationwide, secured around ₱100 billion worth of contracts between July 2022 and May 2025. This amount represents roughly 18 percent of the total ₱545.64 billion allocated for 9,855 flood control initiatives within that period.
The President questioned the apparent concentration of major projects in the hands of a few players, suggesting it raises concerns about fairness, competitiveness, and transparency in the bidding process. “When such a large portion of funding goes to such a small number of contractors, it warrants a closer look,” Marcos said.
Flood control remains one of the administration’s infrastructure priorities, with billions poured into river defenses, drainage systems, and coastal barriers aimed at mitigating the impacts of severe weather and rising sea levels. However, Marcos stressed that public trust hinges on ensuring these projects are awarded and implemented in a manner that is both equitable and efficient.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been directed to review procurement records and bidding procedures, as well as to assess whether current practices encourage healthy competition among contractors.
Marcos emphasized that while delivering projects quickly is important, the integrity of the process must never be compromised. “Infrastructure must not only be built well and on time, it must also be built under a system that the people can trust,” he said.