By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
The creation of an independent body to investigate flood control anomalies will be finalized “very, very soon,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.
“I don’t want to talk about it, until buo na. Di pa namin nabubuo ‘yong plano eh. Pero malapit na ‘yan, very very soon,” Marcos told reporters in Subic, Zambales.
The President made the remark when asked whether Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong would be part of the independent panel that would look into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of flood control projects.
Newly installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said the initial findings of the agency’s internal committee, formed to investigate flood control projects under scrutiny, would be transmitted to the independent fact-finding body.
This, as Dizon said, the DPWH’s internal investigation team for flood control projects would be abolished within the day, “Para po sa akin, nagsalita na po ang Pangulo. Magtatayo po siya ng independent commission. Ibigay po natin sa independent commission ang responsibilidad at authority to investigate.”
“Naiintindihan ko po noong panahon po na nabuo ang internal investigative committee o task force sa DPWH, wala pa pong sinabi ang ating Pangulo na merong independent commission. Pero ngayon pong meron na, respetuhin na lang po natin ang wisdom ng ating Pangulo. Kaya ‘yon po ay bubuwagin ko na po today,” he added.
Dizon also welcomed Magalong’s possible inclusion in the independent investigating body, “Kung ako po personally, napaka-welcome na development po niyan kung totoo.”
The Public Works chief said that in the coming days, he would conduct site inspections in areas where flood control projects have been implemented. (PNA)
