Legitimate infrastructure projects are being delayed as politicians grow wary of scrutiny in the ongoing corruption investigations, San Miguel, Bohol Mayor Ian Gil G. Mendez has said.
Mendez said securing funding has become increasingly difficult as officials fear potential repercussions while the country deals with scandals involving public works projects, particularly in flood control infrastructure.
“Projects are hard to come by just because there are those who are corrupt,” Mendez said during an interview over DYTR’s Open Forum program.
He added that municipalities like San Miguel, which rely heavily on external aid, are at a disadvantage.
The mayor said he wants to separate legitimate projects that benefit residents from those tainted by corruption allegations.
While acknowledging that investigations take time due to due process rights, Mendez said public services are being compromised as officials become more cautious.
Mendez has prioritized healthcare infrastructure in San Miguel, where poverty makes medical costs particularly burdensome.
The mayor said a single illness can deplete families’ savings, forcing residents to sell property or pawn land titles to pay for treatment.
Sen. Loren Legarda funded San Miguel’s 10 health centers.
The municipality operates a fleet of ambulances that provide free transportation for indigent patients, along with an infirmary that handles basic medical cases and refers complex conditions to advanced hospitals.
“This way the people can feel that there is a government that is willing to help,” Mendez said, urging voters to choose leaders carefully in future elections.