15 contractors corner P100 billion in flood control projects, audit shows

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen contractors received the lion's share of the country’s flood management budget over the past three years, according to preliminary findings from a Marcos-ordered audit.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that during his term, 9,855 flood control projects worth about P545 billion were implemented.

The audit recorded 2,409 solo contractors, a figure that appeared unremarkable at first, but scrutiny arose over the distribution of funds.

Fifteen contractors cornered 20% of the total budget, or roughly P100 billion. The remaining P436 billion was split among 2,394 contractors.

Marcos nmamed the 15 contractors as:

1. Legacy Construction Corporation
2. Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
3. St. Timothy Construction Corp.
4. QM Builders
5. EGB Construction Corp.
6. Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
7. Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
8. Sunwest Inc.
9. Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
10. Triple 8 Construction & Supply Inc.
11. Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
12. Wawao Builders
13. MG Samidan Construction
14. L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
15. Road Edge Trading & Development Services.

Five firms, namely Legacy Construction Corp., Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corporation, EGB Construction Corp., and Road Edge Trading & Development Services, had projects in almost every region.

“Five of these contractors had projects in almost the entire country. So, those are the ones that immediately pop out that for me, we need to take a closer look at,” Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Among the 15, St. Timothy Construction drew particular attention after backing out earlier this year from a joint venture with the Commission on Elections to supply election systems for the midterm polls. It is alleged to be the same company as St. Gerrard Construction, the controversial firm owned by failed Pasig mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya.

While releasing the initial findings, Marcos stressed he was “not pointing fingers yet” but believed further scrutiny was needed. He also launched a website where the public can check flood control projects in their area and report suspected irregularities.

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