TUBA, Benguet – August 24, 2025 — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday branded a ₱260-million rock shed and slope protection project in Benguet as “useless,” saying the structure failed to serve its purpose and instead caused further damage to Kennon Road.
Inspecting the collapsed facility at Camp 6 in Tuba, Marcos said the government poured in hundreds of millions but “saw no effect whatsoever” in protecting the road from landslides and erosion.
“The more or less ₱260M that the government spent for this project had no effect… parang walang ginawa… balor ng kanilang trabaho is zero,” the President told reporters after the site visit.
(The more or less ₱260M that the government spent for this project had no effect… as if nothing was done… the value of their work is zero)
He noted that the slope protection was too weak and too low, leading to severe erosion under the tunnel and collapse of the road itself.
Marcos estimated that repairing the damage will require as much as ₱500 million, or nearly double the original cost.
Economic Fallout
The President also linked the structural failure to immediate economic losses, saying communities and businesses depending on Kennon Road have been cut off.
“Because nagsara na ito, hindi na magamit ito, 35 percent kaagad ng kanilang hanapbuhay ay nawala. It is not only the physical damage… it is also the damage to the economy, it is also the damage to the people’s livelihood,” he said.
(Because this road is now closed and cannot be used, 35 percent of their livelihood was lost immediately. It is not only the physical damage we can see, it is also the damage to the economy and to the people’s means of living)
Calling the situation a form of economic sabotage, Marcos said contractors pocketed government funds at the expense of ordinary people’s jobs.
Rock-Netting Overpricing
At nearby Camp 3, Marcos also criticized a rock netting project that he said continued despite being banned.
He alleged that the materials were overpriced four times the market rate.
“Ang presyo ng rock netting is ₱3,200. Ang ini-charge sa gobyerno ay more than ₱12,000. So 75 percent ng kontrata kinick back,” he said.
(The price of rock netting is ₱3,200. What was charged to the government was more than ₱12,000. So 75 percent of the contract went to kickbacks)
Reinstating Local Oversight
Marcos further lamented that local government units (LGUs) were excluded from the process, citing the absence of consultation and final acceptance procedures that used to be standard.
“Dati, ang sistema… hini-hearing yan from barangay to municipal to province. Walang ganun na ginawa dito. Dati may acceptance ng local government… tinanggal na yun. That’s something that we’ll re-institute,” he stressed.
(Before, the system required hearings from the barangay to the municipal up to the provincial level. None of that was done here. There used to be acceptance from the local government… but that was removed. That’s something that we will re-institute)
He emphasized that LGUs are in the best position to monitor projects daily and receive feedback directly from residents.
Appeal for Complaints
Marcos urged the public to continue sending reports about irregularities.
“Ipagpatuloy sana ninyo ang inyong pagsumbong… kahit sino, basta may alam kayo, sabihin nyo sa amin, we will inspect it,” he said.
(Please continue sending your complaints… not just local government officials but anyone who knows of issues, tell us. We will inspect it. If there’s a problem, we will fix it)
Frustration Over Repeated Failures
Marcos noted that this was already his fifth inspection of a defective government project, expressing exasperation over recurring problems.
“I don’t blame anyone for being disappointed, frustrated, angry and…” he remarked.
He vowed that fixing such failures will be a priority he will not leave unfinished while in office.
“Kaya naman hindi kayo magtataka if there is one thing I will not leave this office until I fix it, this is it,” he declared.
(That’s why you should not be surprised if there is one thing I will not leave this office until I fix it, this is it)
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