ICI receives 48 flood control project records, 2 resident complaint affidavits from Surigao del Norte

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday disclosed receiving 48 boxes of documents from the Philippine National Police (PNP), including reports and complaint-affidavits in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control and other public works projects.

The ICI said the turnover was part of its ongoing coordination with law enforcement agencies to examine possible anomalies in infrastructure spending. The boxes contained 11 reports on flood control projects in Masinloc, Zambales; San Agustin, Romblon; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Noveleta, Cavite; three projects in Imus, Cavite; three in General Trias, Cavite; and Rodriguez, Rizal.

It also received two complaint-affidavits from private citizens detailing the condition of flood control and other infrastructure projects in Surigao del Norte’s Second District.

The ICI said it would “thoroughly examine all submitted materials” and pursue appropriate actions against individuals or agencies found responsible for questionable projects.

On the other hand, the Asset Recovery Technical Working Group (TWG) — composed of 23 government agencies — failed to push through with its scheduled virtual meeting on Tuesday after it failed to reach a quorum. Only seven agencies attended: the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor General, and the ICI.

The meeting was supposed to finalize a memorandum of agreement defining the roles, authorities, and procedures for inter-agency coordination in future asset recovery operations. The agreement aims to strengthen resource- and information-sharing and prevent duplication of efforts across government.