Mayor Magalong Reveals 30–55% Lost to Kickbacks in Flood Control Projects

Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong has disclosed that a large portion of government flood control project funds are being lost to alleged corruption.

Magalong said some lawmakers take 30 to 40 percent of the project budget as kickbacks. He also cited a so-called “passing-through” or “parking fee” scheme that allows up to 55 percent of funds to be diverted before construction even starts.

Because of these deductions, Magalong explained that only about 30 to 35 percent of the original allocation is left for actual project implementation. This limited funding, he warned, greatly affects the quality and effectiveness of flood control systems across the country.

The mayor urged authorities to conduct a third-party probe into the issue, stressing that public funds must be used properly, especially for infrastructure designed to protect communities from floods and disasters.

Flood control projects receive billions of pesos in government spending each year. Magalong warned that unless these alleged irregularities are addressed, corruption will continue to undermine disaster preparedness and public safety.