Councilor warns phased infrastructure projects prone to corruption

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia warned that implementing infrastructure projects in multiple phases under the General Appropriations Act leaves them vulnerable to misuse and corruption.

Sarabia said the absence of strict safeguards allows officials to exploit loopholes in the GAA.

He pointed out that vague provisions in the law and loose parameters could result in “ghost projects,” incomplete or delayed works, and repeated allocations for the same undertaking across different national budgets.

During a recent committee hearing, the Department of Public Works and Highways admitted it could not determine whether a project requires multiple phases or a one-time construction.

The agency also confirmed that the GAA does not specify this detail.

Citing the DPWH’s testimony, Sarabia claimed this loophole gives district representatives the authority to decide whether a project will be implemented in phases or as a single undertaking.

“It is purely determined by the unbridled and unrestrained discretion of the congressional representative,” Sarabia said.

“The district representative has unquestioned blanket authority.”

“For such loose parameters, abuse—or at least errors—are bound to happen,” he added.

Sarabia also questioned the practice of dividing projects into smaller portions to fall under the jurisdiction of local district offices, such as the Iloilo City District Engineering Office.

“Why does the project need to be chopped up?” he asked.

“So that it will fall under the ICDEO? So that it will fall under (ICDEO chief Roy Pacanan)?”

“What exactly is so special if the project is under the ICDEO and not under the region?”

Under DPWH guidelines, projects worth less than PHP 150 million are managed by District Engineering Offices, while those exceeding PHP 150 million fall under the DPWH Regional Office.

Larger projects—particularly flood control or foreign-assisted works worth PHP 400–450 million—are handled by the DPWH Central Office.

While clarifying that he was not accusing any specific official of wrongdoing, Sarabia said the system itself enables bad actors to exploit public funds.

“With loose or absent national laws to protect the people, who do you think wins in this game?” he said.

“If there are no rules, they make the rules. They make the plays. And they will win all the time.”

“Precisely, the absence of the law enables corruption,” he stressed.

Sarabia urged Iloilo City District Rep. Julienne “JamJam” Baronda and Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. to pursue reforms in Congress to tighten regulations and fix systemic flaws in public works projects.

“This is a systemic ill that is rotten to the core, with no safeguards or handrails to ensure the safety of the people,” he added.

Councilor warns phased infrastructure projects prone to corruption

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia warned that implementing infrastructure projects in multiple phases under the General Appropriations Act leaves them vulnerable to misuse and corruption.

Sarabia said the absence of strict safeguards allows officials to exploit loopholes in the GAA.

He pointed out that vague provisions in the law and loose parameters could result in “ghost projects,” incomplete or delayed works, and repeated allocations for the same undertaking across different national budgets.

During a recent committee hearing, the Department of Public Works and Highways admitted it could not determine whether a project requires multiple phases or a one-time construction.

The agency also confirmed that the GAA does not specify this detail.

Citing the DPWH’s testimony, Sarabia claimed this loophole gives district representatives the authority to decide whether a project will be implemented in phases or as a single undertaking.

“It is purely determined by the unbridled and unrestrained discretion of the congressional representative,” Sarabia said.

“The district representative has unquestioned blanket authority.”

“For such loose parameters, abuse—or at least errors—are bound to happen,” he added.

Sarabia also questioned the practice of dividing projects into smaller portions to fall under the jurisdiction of local district offices, such as the Iloilo City District Engineering Office.

“Why does the project need to be chopped up?” he asked.

“So that it will fall under the ICDEO? So that it will fall under (ICDEO chief Roy Pacanan)?”

“What exactly is so special if the project is under the ICDEO and not under the region?”

Under DPWH guidelines, projects worth less than PHP 150 million are managed by District Engineering Offices, while those exceeding PHP 150 million fall under the DPWH Regional Office.

Larger projects—particularly flood control or foreign-assisted works worth PHP 400–450 million—are handled by the DPWH Central Office.

While clarifying that he was not accusing any specific official of wrongdoing, Sarabia said the system itself enables bad actors to exploit public funds.

“With loose or absent national laws to protect the people, who do you think wins in this game?” he said.

“If there are no rules, they make the rules. They make the plays. And they will win all the time.”

“Precisely, the absence of the law enables corruption,” he stressed.

Sarabia urged Iloilo City District Rep. Julienne “JamJam” Baronda and Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. to pursue reforms in Congress to tighten regulations and fix systemic flaws in public works projects.

“This is a systemic ill that is rotten to the core, with no safeguards or handrails to ensure the safety of the people,” he added.