Iloilo City Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia has called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct a full-scale investigation into the controversial ₱1.75-billion flood control projects funded under the congressional district of Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda.
In a privilege speech during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Sarabia questioned the effectiveness and transparency of the projects, which he described as “faulty and ineffective,” citing allegations of irregularities in their implementation.
“The City Council has no authority to file charges, but justice must prevail. If justice fails, truth will become its casualty, and lies will appear as truth in the eyes of the people,” Sarabia said.
The councilor recalled attending the People’s Meeting organized by Baronda, which tackled the flooding issue and the proposed ₱4.7-billion additional flood control budget.
However, the councilor claimed that residents were left with more questions than answers after the discussions with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Office of the Lone District.
“After spending ₱1.75 billion in faulty and ineffective flood control projects, they are asking another ₱4.7 billion to completely address the flooding problem. Imagine that — most projects aren’t even completed, yet they’re asking for more billions,” Sarabia pointed out.
He also raised concerns about possible “ghost projects”, such as the Batiano River Project, where he claimed there was no visible evidence of completed work despite the presence of a project billboard in the area.
Sarabia likewise explained the issue of the 15% Mobilization Fund, which is released to contractors at the start of a project.
“As per procurement rules, 15 percent of the total contract price is released as mobilization fund to enable project startup. That means millions of pesos are disbursed even before any actual work begins,” he noted.
Sarabia urged the ICI to assist the city in investigating the alleged anomalies and to determine whether public funds were misused.
“This issue should not be reduced to politics,” he emphasized. “The suffering of Ilonggos due to flooding and the possible misuse of people’s money deserve truth, justice, and accountability.”IMT
