SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) Chairman Erwin Tulfo on Sunday vowed to investigate substandard government projects and hold those responsible to account after floods spawned by heavy rain from the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat hit several parts of the country.
In a radio interview, Tulfo said that the committee is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other related agencies regarding public infrastructure “that crumbles at the first sight of rain.” “Apart from the new names and issues connected to the flood control mess, we will also investigate substandard projects. Bridges, roads, and public works that clearly failed to meet standards. We will investigate them one by one,” Tulfo said.
“Obviously there’s corruption in there because you are given this certain amount of budget to construct these structures according to standards, but it’s unfinished or subpar,” he added.
A major retaining wall along EDSA-Ayala northbound in Makati City collapsed after a series of typhoons, blocking two crucial lanes and paralyzing metro traffic.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon flagged the structure after revealing the collapsed segment was dangerously constructed, using light board material instead of reinforced concrete.
Dizon said the materials used in the structure appeared particularly vulnerable because soil had been placed behind it.
He said that prolonged rainfall could have saturated the soil, increasing its weight and putting additional pressure on the wall.
The DPWH chief acknowledged that the government is facing numerous unfinished or problematic infrastructure projects nationwide, which need to be addressed immediately.
While Tulfo emphasized his readiness to expand the flood control probe as new leads and high-ranking figures emerge, he made it clear that the Blue Ribbon Committee is simultaneously zeroing in on systemic corruption across other agencies.
Tulfo said that the flood control scam is just one of numerous corruption issues that need to be unraveled.
“Corruption has plagued this system for too long, and we are tackling it head-on, one issue at a time. We will be strict in gathering rock-solid evidence, and we will conduct this strictly by the book,” the senator said.
On Friday, Tulfo said that the BRC would turn over its flood control mess inquiry to the Office of the Ombudsman after a “closed-door” meeting with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
“Initially, the Ombudsman and I discussed that they would now handle everything that has to do with flood control anomaly,” Tulfo said in a chance interview.
The senator hinted that the panel can now investigate other corruption cases “affecting almost everybody.” “We’re still gathering information. Don’t want to make any comments. I don’t want to preempt it. But definitely, it’s something that we all use every day,” Tulfo said.
CATHERINE VALENTE
