President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inspection of a riverwall in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan which was tagged as a 'ghost project.' (Mark Balmores)
The massive corruption scandal involving “ghost” flood control projects has cast a shadow over what has otherwise been a period of substantial infrastructure progress in the Philippines, according to London-based think tank Capital Economics.
In an Oct. 9 report, Capital Economics senior Asia economist Gareth Leather said the controversy has raised governance concerns that threaten to undermine confidence in the government’s infrastructure program.
The report noted that the Philippines has seen significant improvements in roads, ports, and digital connectivity over the past decade, enhancing competitiveness and supporting its goal of becoming a regional manufacturing hub.
“Poor infrastructure has long
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