“Parang tinapon mo ‘yung pera sa ilog. Useless.” – Marcos on Kennon Road rock shed

Baguio City, Philippines – “This P260 million project – useless. Parang tinapon mo ‘yung pera sa ilog. Useless,” remarked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appalled by what he saw at Kennon Road on Sunday, August 24.

His inspection of the rock shed project along Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet, is the fifth flood control project he visited since the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website that is aimed at investigating flood control-related projects marred by corruption was launched earlier this month.

The 152-meter tunnel-like structure, which was meant to be a solution to the persistent landslides that have made Kennon Road dangerous for motorists, was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Data from the state-controlled media states the project, funded under the 2022 national budget, was awarded to contractor 3K Rock Engineering with a contract cost of P273.93 million. Accordingly, the project began on January 10, 2023, and was marked as officially completed on April 13, 2025.

Parts of the foothold of the supposed slope protection caved in during the onslaught of Typhoon “Emong” and the southwest monsoon in late July. The damage caused temporary closure and restricted access.

On July 27, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Chairman of the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay (BLISTT) Governing Council conducted an inspection and called for a third-party audit to check the true status of the project, underscoring that it should have been provided “class A” quality standards.

‘Useless project and zero value of work’

On Sunday, August 24, Magalong, along with Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and DPWH officials, accompanied President Marcos, who personally made a site visit to the multi-million structure. He described the project as “useless” and a clear case of “economic sabotage.”

“I think you can see for yourself na talagang hindi trinabaho nang mabuti ito dahil ‘yung ginawang slope protection supposedly dito ay bumigay na,” Marcos said.

The Chief Executive added that the P260 million spent by the government for the rock shed “had no effect whatsoever as to protect the slope.”

“Parang walang ginawa... Wala silang tinayo, wala silang nilagay na wall, wala silang nilagay na riprap, wala silang nilagay na slope protection... Kaya ang balor ng kanilang trabaho is zero, complete zero,” he added.

‘Economic sabotage’

The President expressed dismay that it would cost the government estimated P500 million to fix the infrastructure, double the amount of the project cost.

“So how can you tell me that it’s not economic sabotage? Kinuha mo yung P260 million, wala kaming nakitang effect dun sa kanyang ginawa na kontrata,” he said.

Marcos further cited that the limited road access caused locals to lose around 35 percent of their income.

“It’s not only the physical damage that you can see. It is also the damage to the economy. It is also the damage to the people’s livelihood... Naghahanap-buhay lang naman itong mga taong ito, tinggal sa kanila 35 percent na dapat nilang hanapbuhay para ibulsa ang pera ng gobyerno,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sal-ongan said she was disappointed with the project and noted that the DPWH should have coordinated with the local government unit to ensure that infrastructure projects such as the rock shed adhere to measures and standards.