La Union Flood Control Projects Declared Crime Scenes Amid Fraud and Quality Concerns

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, serving as special adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), announced on Tuesday that several suspect flood control projects in La Union will be designated as crime scenes to prevent unauthorized access amid growing concerns regarding ghost projects and poor construction standards.

"We're going to declare this as a crime scene. We will secure the area so that we can file charges against anyone who intrudes," Magalong stated during the inspection alongside Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.

The officials conducted site visits to flood control structures in Bauang and Tubao towns, uncovering alarming deficiencies. Secretary Dizon cited a recurring pattern of ghost projects or substandard works, emphasizing that "almost all the projects we visited lacked proper construction plans, which makes thorough assessment impossible."

Among the scrutinized projects was a ₱180 million dike and riprap in Barangay Calumbaya, Bauang. Awarded to the firm Silver Wolves, it was slated for completion in March 2025; however, construction activity was ongoing despite indications of defective materials and evident damage.

Investigations revealed that the drainage pipes used were counterfeit and merely glued to soil surfaces. The pipes, which should measure two meters, were found to be less than a foot in length. Dizon affirmed the necessity of flood control measures in the area but questioned the project's quality, stating, "This is clearly not a ghost project since there is visible construction, but based on our observations, the work appears highly substandard."

No official construction plans have been provided to support the project’s legitimacy.

Further inspections included a ₱50 million flood control initiative in Barangay Anduya, Tubao, noted for its limited 500-meter scope. Additionally, another ghost project in Barangay Rizal, Tubao, is under verification after being reported to Magalong’s office.

Data indicates that the Ilocos Region hosts 651 flood control projects valued at ₱39.3 billion, ranking fourth nationally in budget allocation for such projects and fifth in total project count.

In light of these findings, Magalong has mandated the suspension of all inspected flood control projects pending deeper investigation. He raised questions regarding the inconsistent application of construction technology, stating, "The technology used in other places is consistent and robust, but here, we found stone masonry techniques that don’t match the standards observed elsewhere. Why the inconsistency?"

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure continues to probe the alleged anomalies as authorities tighten security to uphold accountability and quality in public infrastructure development.