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Flooding and a surge in leptospirosis cases have emerged as urgent public health and infrastructure challenges in the Philippines over the past weeks.

As public attention focuses on the questionable and allegedly “imaginary” flood control projects across the country, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has revealed more anomalies within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a recent episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Benjamin, who also serves as lead convenor of the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), said he uncovered massive irregularities in projects such as road reflector lights or cat's eyes, yellow barriers, and anti-erosion rock netting, particularly in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

According to Benjamin, the price of rock netting, normally pegged at PhP6,000 per square meter, was inflated to PhP25,000 in 2023. Between 2017 and 2023, rock netting funds in the Cordilleras reportedly reached PhP46.61 billion, with an estimated PhP28 billion in kickbacks allegedly pocketed by corrupt officials.

He said he discovered these anomalies while requesting documents from the DPWH, but his efforts were repeatedly stonewalled.

“Nilalaro ako, pinapaikot ako. Minsan nga nag-request na ako through the Regional Development Council, very strong na dapat 'yun, e, na to compel DPWH to provide me documents, 'yung mga contracts,” he said.

The mayor added that the DPWH even provided him with a link to the requested data, but it contained nothing useful. He then sought the help of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which conducted a study that revealed glaring overpricing.

“Average 4,300 lang pala square meter, may profit 'yung contractor, lumalabas 25,000 square meters according to that study ng NEDA, talagang empirical data 'yun. So ang laki pala eh,” he explained.

Magalong also cited a contractor who admitted that 40 percent of project funds went straight to payoffs, with some lawmakers allegedly acting as both suppliers and main contractors.

Another anomaly, he said, involved the installation of cat's eyes on roads. Despite being nonfunctional and unevenly spaced, each unit was reportedly priced at PhP11,720 under DPWH projects.

“So sabi ko, 'Ah kaya pala ang laki-laki ng porsiyento nila.' So, PhP11,720 minus PhP1,800. Can you just imagine? PhP9,900 pala ang bawat piraso ang mark-up. So ilang millions, million pieces ang binili rito sa buong bansa. Millions and millions of pieces,” Benjamin said, estimating that around PhP9.8 billion may have been lost to corruption in this scheme alone.

He lamented that due to widespread “tongpats” or kickbacks, only 30 percent of the actual budget is left to fund projects, forcing contractors to deliver substandard work.

“Some of them are stealing 1 billion peso a year. More than. And if you're stealing 1 billion a year, you're stealing ₱2.7 million a day,” he stressed.

Magalong recalled raising his findings with DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan back in 2022, but expressed deep disappointment that little action has been taken since.

He also condemned how the 2025 national budget was “massacred” with insertions and pork barrel allocations, saying around 20 percent of the funds were deliberately manipulated.

“Isipin mo every year nag-iisip kami, paano na naman ito? Kulang na naman ang classroom, sira-sira na naman upuan. Aayusin na naman namin 'yung mga school buildings. Kawawa na naman itong mga estudyante. 'Yun pala, pinagbubulsa lang ng mga kurap na politiko. Manggigigil ka talaga,” the mayor said.

Despite facing threats and political attacks, Magalong said he is determined to continue exposing corruption, even if it is a “dangerous fight.”

“Well, mabigat na laban ito. It's extremely challenging and at the same time dangerous as well. Of course, I fear for the safety of my family. Not so much sa akin. Galing naman tayo sa ganyan, sa giyera,” he admitted.

Still, Benjamin remains hopeful that genuine reform is possible.

“As politicians, it's about time na talagang embrace namin 'yung real essence of public service. At tama na, tama na. Mahiya na po tayo,” he said.

Watch the full interview on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho video above.