Group joins flood control probe with infrastructure commission

By Dolly Yasa

Task Force Kasanag International (TFKI), a civil society group based in Negros Occidental, has been tapped to assist the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) in investigating allegedly anomalous flood control projects linked to the national government.

The ICI is tasked with probing widespread irregularities in flood control initiatives nationwide.

TFKI founder Dr. John Chiong said the ICI sought their help in gathering documents and building cases against those involved in the alleged scam.

Chiong signed a memorandum of agreement with ICI officials on Tuesday in Metro Manila, with the commission represented by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr.

He told reporters that Baguio City Mayor and retired police lieutenant general Benjamin Magalong, who serves as special adviser to the ICI, recommended TFKI to aid in evidence gathering and case development against contractors and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel allegedly linked to the controversy.

Chiong said TFKI-affiliated lawyers will lead the legal groundwork for the investigation.

“We shall not only focus on the contractors and DPWH personnel, but the ones really behind all of this—the masterminds,” he added.

All gathered evidence will be turned over to the ICI for validation and further legal review.

“This is really one concern that needs our help,” Chiong said, adding that anti-corruption is among the group’s core advocacies.

He added that he has been exposing questionable flood control projects in Luzon since 2022.

Chiong said the national government’s recent interest in the issue suggests that TFKI may have only uncovered the “tip of the iceberg.”

While based in Negros Occidental, TFKI maintains chapters across the country.