Fact Check: The core claim: taxpayer money funded a flood control wall in Barangay 166 built by Mayor Along Malapitan and Congressman Oca Malapitan.

Fact-Check: Did Taxpayer Money Fund a Flood Control Wall in Barangay 166 Built by Mayor Along Malapitan and Congressman Oca Malapitan?

What We Know

The claim states that taxpayer money funded a flood control wall in Barangay 166, built by Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan and Congressman Oscar "Oca" Malapitan.

1. Construction Project: A document detailing the construction of a flood control wall in Barangay 166 indicates that the project was executed with a total value of approximately 47.9 million PHP. This document outlines various components of the project, including earthworks and quality assurance certifications (SWA 166 Fc Wall 2ND 89).

2. Government Involvement: The local government of Caloocan City, under Mayor Along Malapitan, has been actively involved in launching multiple infrastructure projects, including flood mitigation efforts. Reports confirm that the mayor has overseen various infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving local conditions (10 infrastructure projects inilatag ng Caloocan City government).

3. Funding Source: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has committed to enhancing flood mitigation efforts across the Philippines, which implies that taxpayer money is likely involved in funding such projects (DPWH Commits to Enhanced Flood Mitigation Efforts).

4. Political Context: Both Mayor Along Malapitan and Congressman Oca Malapitan are prominent political figures in Caloocan City, with a history of working together on local projects (Along Malapitan - Wikipedia).

Analysis

The evidence supports the core claim that taxpayer money funded the flood control wall in Barangay 166. The project was officially documented and appears to be part of a broader initiative by the local government to address flooding issues in the area. The involvement of the DPWH suggests that the funding likely comes from public resources, which aligns with the claim that taxpayer money was used.

However, the claim does not specify the exact proportion of funding attributed to taxpayer contributions versus other potential sources, such as national government allocations or private partnerships. This lack of specificity means that while the claim is fundamentally accurate, it may oversimplify the financial dynamics involved in the project.

Moreover, the reliability of the sources varies. The construction document is a primary source that provides concrete details about the project, while news articles and Wikipedia entries may contain biases or incomplete information. The credibility of the sources is generally high, but it is essential to consider the potential for political bias, especially in articles discussing local politicians.

Conclusion

The claim that taxpayer money funded a flood control wall in Barangay 166, built by Mayor Along Malapitan and Congressman Oca Malapitan, is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence indicating that taxpayer funds were likely involved in the project, the claim lacks detail regarding the exact funding sources and proportions. Thus, while the core assertion is accurate, it does not capture the full complexity of the funding situation.

Sources

1. DPWH Commits to Enhanced Flood Mitigation Efforts
2. Along Malapitan - Wikipedia
3. SWA 166 Fc Wall 2ND 89 | PDF | Metro Manila
4. 10 infrastructure projects inilatag ng Caloocan City government
5. CONGRESSMAN DALE “ALONG” MALAPITAN - league.ph
6. Irony alert: Mayor Along Malapitan's flood control project billboard sinks in floods