Farmers: Bicol flood control projects expose systemic corruption and negligence

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today denounced what it described as “rampant corruption and criminal negligence” in the implementation of flood control projects in the Bicol region, citing a recent probing from its regional chapter, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (KMB).

Last August 16 to 17, KMB inspected some of the flood control projects in Libon, Albay and revealed inferior and substandard construction. (attached photos).

According to KMB, government records from the SumbongSaPangulo website show 853 flood control projects were supposedly completed in Bicol since 2022, including 273 in Albay, 252 in Camarines Sur, and 125 in Sorsogon. Yet these provinces remain the most flood-devastated, as seen during last year’s typhoons, when widespread and prolonged inundation crippled farming communities. KMP and KMB demands a full probe on the flood control projects in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon provinces.

KMB also revealed glaring irregularities, such as the San Agustin Flood Control Dike in Libon, Albay, which was listed as having four separate “completed” projects between 2022 and 2024. Despite millions spent, residents continue to suffer from severe flooding. The report also highlighted repeat and overlapping projects worth up to Php200 million each, as well as incomplete and substandard construction.

The probing corroborates recent Senate expose pointing to the Co political clan of AKO BICOL Partylist, whose companies including SUNWEST Inc. (Zaldy Co), Hi-Tone (Christopher Co), and FS Co Builders and Supply (Farida Co, Vice Governor of Albay) cornered some of the largest contracts. These same firms also reportedly operate massive quarrying projects at the foot of Mayon Volcano, worsening flooding in nearby towns like Guinobatan.

In Sorsogon, KMB noted that Centerways Construction, a major recipient of flood-control contracts, reportedly bagged Php5.6 billion worth of contracts for 52 out of 125 flood control projects in the province. Senate President Chiz Escudero has earlier acknowledged that Centerways Construction president Lawrence Lubiano, was among his campaign donors in 2022.

“These so-called flood control projects are nothing more than a racket to amass wealth for political dynasties and their favored contractors, while Bicolanos are left to drown in floods and debt,” said Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

“The initial revelations of KMB show how deeply entrenched corruption is in public works, where disaster funds are treated as cash cows. Every fraudulent project means more lives lost, more communities submerged, and more farmers and poor families pushed into crisis all-year round.”

KMP called on all Bicolanos to demand further investigation and hold those responsible for corruption-ridden flood control projects accountable.

“The people must demand justice. Billions wasted on fake and failed flood control projects must be reclaimed and re-channeled to genuine disaster preparedness and rural development and not to the pockets of the contractor-politicians and their political dynasties,” Ramos said.