Tens of Thousands Protest Infrastructure Fraud in Philippines
Tens of thousands took to the streets in September 2025, expressing their outrage over infrastructure fraud. The Marcos administration has allocated a massive ₱545 billion for flood control projects since 2022, but many were found to be overpriced, poorly constructed, or never built. Residents in flood-prone provinces live in constant fear and feel betrayed by the corrupted projects.
The recent revelations about these projects have exposed how corruption is not just a financial issue, but also a mental health crisis. Residents are left anxious, insomniac, hypervigilant, and depressed due to chronic exposure to institutional betrayal. Mental health professionals warn that these symptoms can be triggered by such exposure.
In the Philippines, corruption has become an everyday crisis, weakening institutions and affecting mental health. The poorest barangays suffer the most, as they are often exposed to floods and have weaker health systems. The government has created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to investigate these projects, but whether it can restore trust remains uncertain. Addressing corruption requires transparency, mental health support, and teaching values of empathy, citizenship, and accountability.
The public's anger is a call for accountability in infrastructure management. While the government has taken steps to investigate the issues, the road to restoring trust is long and uncertain. Meanwhile, the mental health of affected residents remains a pressing concern that must be addressed alongside the corruption itself.
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