President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the blacklisting of contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects from obtaining new government contracts, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President issued the directive to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos Jr., dapat na may managot sa ganitong uri ng kapabayaan, katiwalian at panloloko, at tiyakin na mananagot sa batas ang lahat ng may sala. Nakakadismaya at nakapagtataka kung bakit napupunta sa mga pabayang contractors ang mga ganitong proyekto,” Castro said in a press briefing.

“Hindi puwede na tapos lang sa papel ang mga flood control projects na kung maitayo man ay sira din agad at wala nang silbi. Hindi rin puwedeng mababang klase ang proyekto para sa taumbayan,” she added.

According to Castro, the President was dismayed that billions of pesos in public funds had been spent on flood control projects that failed to prevent flooding during typhoons and heavy monsoon rains.

“Ilang taon na ang lumipas at paulit-ulit pa rin ang dinaranas ng taumbayan,” Castro quoted the President as saying.

Marcos also ordered the DPWH to identify the officials responsible for engaging the services of blacklisted contractors. These individuals will be directed to explain why such contractors continued to secure major government projects despite poor performance.

The directive was issued Wednesday following the President’s visit to Iloilo City, where he inspected flood control projects and conducted an aerial survey of areas hit by massive flooding.

Marcos also reiterated his call for the public to report anomalous flood control projects via the sumbongsapangulo.ph website. From August 11 to 13, the site recorded 84,892 total views, received 1,148 reports, and logged 823 comments or reactions as feedback.