UP expresses 'gravest concern' over corruption in flood control projects

The University of the Philippines (UP) has expressed support for protest actions against alleged anomalies in flood control projects, saying the corruption issue has become a matter of "gravest concern" to the nation.

The country's premiere state-run university issued the statement dated September 11 to convey its support for what it described as the "crusade for transparency and accountability" in flood control and infrastructure projects.

"The University views with gravest concern the revelation of deep-seated and massive corruption plaguing the flood control projects in the country. We cannot stay neutral," UP President Angelo "Jijil" Jimenez said in the statement.

"We support and encourage the expression of general outrage of our citizens, in accordance with the constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," Jimenez said.

Multiple protest actions were scheduled Friday in UP campuses in Diliman and Manila demanding accountability over substandard and "ghost" or non-existent flood control projects. Similar rallies have also been staged this week in UP Los Baños.

The university's statement comes as Congress investigates alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control allocations in Bulacan and other parts of the country, with lawmakers and Public Works officials implicated in the controversy.

"Beyond raging against corruption, we must also harness our education and training to provide solutions to the real problems of our people. As the University of the People, it is our overarching moral responsibility," Jimenez said. 

The UP president also called for greater fiscal governance reforms and increased transparency in the public sector so that government services may be effectively delivered to Filipinos.

At the same time, Jimenez assured UP's commitment to ensure the integrity of its procurement processes.

"We shall employ all legal means to ensure full accountability, in fulfillment of our continuing duty to serve the Filipino people," he said. — with a report from Sherylin Untalan/ VDV, GMA Integrated News