Rodolfo Azurin, ICI Special Adviser, Speaks on Discaya-Flood Control Projects in Ilocos Norte
ICI – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure inspected the flood control projects in Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The investigation on the flood control mess in the Philippines is ongoing. It is led by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure which was created upon the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. It is a three-member body led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr.
Previously, the commission operated on a limited budget as they waited for their operational budget. It was only a few days ago when the office of Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the release of the P41.4 million budget for the ICI. Following the massive flooding triggered by typhoon Tino and super typhoon Uwan, the authorities called for the investigation of the flood control projects in the regions left devastated by the calamities like Cebu.
The flood control probe of the ICI has invited several personas already — contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and senators Chiz Escudero and Joel Villanueva among others. Recently, the commission inspected the Discaya-made flood control projects in Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPW) Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar, ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and the local engineers inspected the flood control projects built by the companies owned by the Discayas in the bailiwick of Marcos Jr.
According to Azurin, they did not find any visible sign of damage on the flood control structures. He claimed that they were repaired before the arrival of the team. However, he also clarified that it does not mean that the contractor is already cleared from liabilities.
“Na-report na nagiba two months ago pero pagdating natin na-repair. So ibig sabihin this is part of the warranty of the contractor,” the ICI special investigator said.
Based on the report, Azurin and Magalong ordered the measurement of the steel bars and the width of the segments and dike. According to the ICI special investigator, Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of Marcos Jr., received around P9 billion for the 150 flood control projects from 2016 to 2025. He stressed that they will prioritize checking on the structures built by the companies owned by the Discayas.
Recently, amid the call for accountability, Pres. Bongbong Marcos claimed that those who are involved in the flood control corruption won’t have a merry Christmas.