A few mayors in Laguna province have joined the call for "full transparency, accountability, and justice" in the implementation of flood-control projects in the Philippines.
As of August 22, five mayors in the province have signed a manifesto first published by the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) last August 16, urging the national government to take action on the alleged massive corruption surrounding flood-control projects.
These include Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas; Cavinti Mayor Arrantlee Arroyo; Majayjay Mayor Romeo Amorado; Nagcarlan Mayor Elnor Vita; and Paete Mayor Ronald Cosico.
The eastern town of Paete was one of the most affected by the weeklong rains brought by the southwest monsoon, which was heightened by weather disturbances "Crising," "Dante," and "Emong" last July.
The flood situation was also aggravated as the Laguna de Bay exceeded its critical threshold level of 12.50 meters due to the continuous rains.
Aside from severe flooding in its coastal barangays, the Paete portion of the Manila East Road, the main highway going to the eastern portion of Laguna, became impassable to light vehicles for almost two weeks.
The manifesto, which was initially signed by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Isabela City (Basilan) Mayor Sitti Hattaman, expressed its frustration at the allegations of billions of pesos worth of flood control projects being wasted at the hands of corrupt contractors and politicians.
"Corruption must end now. The Filipino people deserve a government that protects and serves them, not one that endangers their lives and robs them of their future," the manifesto read.
It is expected that more local officials will sign the manifesto in the coming days as Congress continues to unveil the widespread irregularities and anomalies in the implementation of flood-control projects, some of which have been revealed as "ghost projects."
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