Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (KMB) members launched on August 16–17 in Libon, Albay, an investigation on the flood control projects in the province. They aim to assess the situation of communities surrounding these projects, especially amid the Marcos regime’s claims of addressing defective flood control projects in the country.
KMB uncovered rampant corruption and criminal neglect in government-implemented flood prevention projects. Reports state that 853 projects were completed in 2022, including 273 in Albay, 252 in Camarines Sur, and 124 in Sorsogon. However, these provinces remain among the worst affected by floods from last year’s typhoons.
The group’s investigation revealed that many projects were “chopped” into several parts and left unfinished. This includes the San Agustin Flood Control Dike in Libon, Albay, which was divided into four phases, supposedly completed between 2022 and 2024. Despite this, flooding continues in areas covered by the dike.
Many projects were also repeated, and overlapped, costing ₱200 million each. Analysis shows that only 40% of the project budget goes to actual construction, while 60% is siphoned off by politicians, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Budget and Management, and the Commission on Audit.
Bicol’s bureaucrat-capitalist Co dynasty holds the most and largest flood control projects, amounting to billions in funds both in Bicol and elsewhere in the Philippines. Sunwest Inc. belongs to Zaldy Co, representative of Ako Bicol Party-list; Hi-Tone is owned by Christopher Co; and FS Co Builders and Supply is owned by Farida Co, vice governor of Albay. They also own large-scale quarrying operations around the foot of Mayon Volcano, which worsen flooding in the surrounding villages.
In Sorsogon, Centerways Construction secured 52 out of 125 flood control projects in the province with a total worth of ₱5.6 billion. Senate president Chiz Escudero admitted he received ₱30 million in campaign funds during the 2022 elections from the company’s owner, Lawrence Lubiano.
Escudero faced widespread criticism for this. Accepting funds from construction contractors is illegal for politicians. In addition, Aremar Construction Corp and its dummy corporation, CT Leoncio Construction and Trading, owned by the Hamor family, have long amassed billions’ worth of infrastructure projects in the province.
One such project was a ₱325 million flood control project in Casiguran in 2024 under Aremar Construction. In 2020, CT Leoncio handled 47 projects worth ₱1.73 trillion, of which ₱306.71 million was for 18 flood control projects in Catanduanes and Sorsogon. Jose Edwin “Boboy” Hamor is the current governor of the province and had long served as Casiguran mayor. His wife, daughter, and sister are currently mayors in three municipalities in the province.
Beyond the anomalous flood control projects, coastal road projects in Sorsogon City, managed by Aremar Construction and Centerways Construction, have also worsened flooding. Cemented shorelines and the destruction of mangroves have blocked runoff, leaving no pathways for accumulating rainwater and mountain flow during heavy downpours.
“These so-called flood control projects are nothing more than a racket for political dynasties and their favored contractors to amass wealth, while Bicolanos are left to drown in floods and debt,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairperson Danilo Ramos explained.
Ramos said KMB’s initial investigation reveals deeply rooted corruption in construction, where projects serve as milking cows. “Every fraudulent project means more lives lost, more communities submerged, and more farmers and poor families pushed into crisis all-year round,” he added.
“The challenge for the Bicolano people now is to rise, speak out, and unite to demand accountability from all those involved in the defective and corrupt flood control projects in Bicol,” declared KMB.
