Bulacan, once again submerged into the depths of its flood, is drowning from deceit—from a promised change that was delayed day by day until it was left abandoned. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. visited a flood project that was declared 100% complete as of June 2025 in Baliuag, Bulacan, where a supposed 220-meter concrete river wall project would be built with a budget of ₱55 million. However, in a shocking discovery, it turned out to be nothing but a “ghost” project that was never finished. The President said that not even one day of work was spent, and the flooding there continuously persists. He stated that he wasn’t disappointed but angry. The real question is, where did the ₱55 million budget go?
Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) mentioned in a post on August 26, 2025, that with the president's approval, the non-existent flood project in Baliuag, Bulacan, is part of the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) proposal as the project could be spotted in the executive branch’s proposed 2025 budget, or the National Executive Program (NEP). Considering this, before individuals could get a glimpse of their salary, shares of their taxes were already taken from them—taxes that were meant to better their home. Yet, for some reason, it has only gotten worse. It is also safe to assume that there is a growing fear, especially for individuals who live in areas that are vulnerable to flooding.
Why bother with the efforts to combine solutions to solve the province’s issues when, unknowingly, the budget, the taxes, the investments—all end up in the hands of corruption? And when they are called out for their wrongdoings, when the people cry for a bit of mercy, they dismiss it.
Not one, not two, but various mitigation projects were used for the sake of greed. The report on the president's concerns about the projects under his administration states that there is a totality of ₱545 billion for the flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025; ₱100 billion (18%) was shared by 15 contractors besides the 2,409 accredited ones. There is definitely something wrong with the system. Their privilege, formed by taxpayers who work to make ends meet, the people who are expected to put on a smile as they cross the flooded roads to work for a minimum wage, the people who are buried in poverty, in struggles, in responsibilities—what about the taxpayers? The public safety? Their priorities are nothing but their privilege—the luxury life that doesn’t belong to them.
Moreover, driven by anger, the president assured to put a stop to the princess treatment, and that the people responsible and those who turned a blind eye to the non-existent mitigation projects would be held accountable. However, there is no guarantee that the people will ever get a glimpse of the money invested in these projects ever again.
Robbed, deceived, abandoned—all because corruption continuously rises, and all this to leave the country to drown in the endless floods, which is solvable if it weren’t for the country’s corrupt politicians, who are driven by greed, who are blinded by the blue eagle. And it’s not just the flood control projects—the road widening, asphalt overlay, and highway safety devices, all embezzled in percentages by the corrupt politicians.
Actions should immediately be taken; and the Bulakenyos? They should be scared, angry even, because the province is sinking while the corrupt government clings onto their luxury life provided by shares from the taxes that came from the Filipinos who work day and night to provide for their loved ones.
Via Kayleigh V. Shingler, Insight PH
Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) mentioned in a post on August 26, 2025, that with the president's approval, the non-existent flood project in Baliuag, Bulacan, is part of the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) proposal as the project could be spotted in the executive branch’s proposed 2025 budget, or the National Executive Program (NEP). Considering this, before individuals could get a glimpse of their salary, shares of their taxes were already taken from them—taxes that were meant to better their home. Yet, for some reason, it has only gotten worse. It is also safe to assume that there is a growing fear, especially for individuals who live in areas that are vulnerable to flooding.
Why bother with the efforts to combine solutions to solve the province’s issues when, unknowingly, the budget, the taxes, the investments—all end up in the hands of corruption? And when they are called out for their wrongdoings, when the people cry for a bit of mercy, they dismiss it.
Not one, not two, but various mitigation projects were used for the sake of greed. The report on the president's concerns about the projects under his administration states that there is a totality of ₱545 billion for the flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025; ₱100 billion (18%) was shared by 15 contractors besides the 2,409 accredited ones. There is definitely something wrong with the system. Their privilege, formed by taxpayers who work to make ends meet, the people who are expected to put on a smile as they cross the flooded roads to work for a minimum wage, the people who are buried in poverty, in struggles, in responsibilities—what about the taxpayers? The public safety? Their priorities are nothing but their privilege—the luxury life that doesn’t belong to them.
Moreover, driven by anger, the president assured to put a stop to the princess treatment, and that the people responsible and those who turned a blind eye to the non-existent mitigation projects would be held accountable. However, there is no guarantee that the people will ever get a glimpse of the money invested in these projects ever again.
Robbed, deceived, abandoned—all because corruption continuously rises, and all this to leave the country to drown in the endless floods, which is solvable if it weren’t for the country’s corrupt politicians, who are driven by greed, who are blinded by the blue eagle. And it’s not just the flood control projects—the road widening, asphalt overlay, and highway safety devices, all embezzled in percentages by the corrupt politicians.
Actions should immediately be taken; and the Bulakenyos? They should be scared, angry even, because the province is sinking while the corrupt government clings onto their luxury life provided by shares from the taxes that came from the Filipinos who work day and night to provide for their loved ones.
Via Kayleigh V. Shingler, Insight PH
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Written by Kayleigh V. Shingler, Insight PH
Kayleigh V. Shingler, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.