Baguio city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday criticized the PHP260-million rock shed project along Kennon Road, labeling it ‘totally useless’ after it collapsed during weather disturbances in July. During an inspection of the slope protection project, Marcos committed to reinstating local government units (LGUs) oversight in infrastructure projects to prevent similar failures, emphasizing the impact of faulty works on livelihoods.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President confirmed reports of the structure’s slope protection failing, leading to soil collapse, rockfall, and the closure of a portion of this vital economic thoroughfare. Marcos, accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, expressed frustration, saying, “This PHP260-million project is useless. It’s as if the money was just thrown into the river.”
Magalong has accused unnamed lawmakers of receiving kickbacks of 30 to 40 percent of the budget for flood control and infrastructure projects and has offered to lead an investigation. The 152-meter, two-lane rock shed, constructed by 3K Rock Engineering under the 2022 Department of Public Works and Highways program, started on Jan. 10, 2023, and was declared completed on April 13, 2025. However, a cave-in soon rendered part of it impassable, with rebuilding costs now estimated at PHP500 million.
The inaccessibility of the rock shed project has reduced the livelihood of Kennon Road residents by 35 percent, Marcos highlighted, stating, “It’s not only the physical damage but also the damage to the economy and people’s livelihoods.” He noted that 35 percent of residents’ livelihood was lost due to the project’s failure.
Marcos also criticized the absence of LGU consultation, noting that projects previously required village, municipal, and provincial hearings with local government acceptance before completion. Recalling his tenure as governor of Ilocos Norte, Marcos emphasized that consultations with LGUs were mandatory for both minor and major projects. He pledged to restore this practice to ensure quality and accountability, stating, “The local government has a big role to perform.”
The Kennon Road project is the latest flood control-related anomaly inspected by Marcos following the launch of the ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ (Report to the President) website on Aug. 11 to crowdsource corruption reports. Mayor Magalong previously proposed privatizing Kennon Road for better management, commenting, “A thorough scrutiny will lead to a better master plan for Kennon.”
The House of Representatives is forming a tri-committee to investigate alleged anomalous flood control projects, with Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, chair of the Committee on Public Accounts, planning to invite Magalong to discuss his allegations.
