While billions in government funds flow through the offices of Caloocan’s three sitting representatives, residents continue wading through knee-deep floodwaters during every monsoon—and despair over crumbling infrastructure, clogged canals, and a city still ranked among Metro Manila’s poorest.
Internal government budget documents obtained by Balitang Huli reveal that from 2023 to 2025, Caloocan’s congressional delegation—comprising Rep. Oscar “Oca” Malapitan (1st District), Rep. Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (2nd District), and Rep. Dean Asistio (3rd District)—controlled a staggering P8,349,936,000 in allocable funds, commonly known as “pork barrel” or, in official parlance, the National Expenditure Program (NEP) allocations and Local Development Support Fund (LDSF).
The breakdown is jarring:
- Rep. Malapitan: P4.57 billion
- Rep. Cajayon-Uy: P2.20 billion
- Rep. Asistio: P1.57 billion
Yet, despite this financial firepower, Caloocan remains a poster child of urban neglect. During the recent December 2025 typhoon season, entire barangays like 188 (Bagong Silang), 11 (Sangandaan), and Barangay 76 (Grace Park) were submerged for days. Residents filmed videos of children swimming to school, while others resorted to cooking meals on rooftops.
“Bilyon-bilyon silang pondo, pero yung estero sa likod namin, puno pa rin ng basura,” said Aling Nena, a 62-year-old vendor in Barangay 102. “Yung drainage, hindi pa rin naayos kahit tatlong ulan lang. Saan napunta ‘yung pera?”
The Pork Barrel That Never Died
Though the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)—the infamous “pork barrel” system—was officially abolished by the Supreme Court in 2013 following the Napoles scam, critics argue that lawmakers simply rebranded it. Today, congressmen and women still wield enormous discretionary power through NEP insertions, LDSF, and Special Purpose Funds (SPF)—all of which bypass competitive bidding and local government oversight.
In Caloocan, these funds are often funneled through barangay projects, infrastructure “fast-tracks”, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with ties to political allies—raising red flags among transparency advocates.
A 2024 audit by the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged 17 Caloocan-funded projects for “lack of documentation” and “questionable beneficiary selection.” One P280-million flood mitigation project in the 2nd District was listed as “completed,” yet residents reported no visible construction.
“Technically, it’s not ‘pork’ anymore—but functionally, it’s the same,” said Dr. Maricel Tejada, governance expert at UP-NCPAG. “The system allows legislators to direct funds without accountability. And in cities like Caloocan, where poverty and political loyalty intersect, it becomes a tool for patronage—not progress.”
The Malapitan Dynasty and the Illusion of Progress
Rep. Oscar “Oca” Malapitan isn’t just any congressman—he’s part of Caloocan’s ruling political dynasty. His father, Rey Malapitan, was mayor for over a decade and is now a congressman himself (though not included in this 3-year total due to district redistricting). Oca himself served as Caloocan mayor from 2013 to 2022, overseeing city budgets that routinely exceeded P10 billion annually.
Yet, under their collective watch, Caloocan consistently ranks last or near-last in the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Cities Competitiveness Index, scoring poorly in infrastructure, disaster resilience, and business-friendliness.
Meanwhile, Rep. Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, daughter of former Caloocan mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri, returned to Congress in 2022 after a brief hiatus. Her husband, Rep. Dale Gonzalo “Along” Uy, is concurrently serving as Caloocan’s 3rd District representative—though the P1.57 billion listed above is officially under Dean Asistio, who assumed office in 2025 after Uy stepped down due to term limits.
This web of familial and political alliances has led to what critics call “dynastic fund consolidation”—where development budgets serve to reinforce political control rather than address systemic urban decay.
Floods, Poverty, and Broken Promises
According to the 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, Caloocan has the highest poverty incidence in Metro Manila at 12.7%, with over 350,000 residents living below the poverty line. It also has the lowest sewerage coverage (under 20%) and one of the densest informal settler populations in the country.
Despite repeated pledges of a “Caloocan Flood Master Plan”, no comprehensive drainage overhaul has been implemented. The Tullahan River rehabilitation project, a centerpiece of past administrations, remains stalled—its budget diverted multiple times.
“We don’t need more photo ops with shovels,” said urban planner Arnel Gomez. “We need engineers, dredging machines, and political will. But when your fund utilization is tied to voter turnout in election years, long-term planning becomes irrelevant.”
Officials Respond
When contacted, Rep. Malapitan’s office stated that the P4.57 billion was used for “127 livelihood, health, and infrastructure projects,” including the construction of evacuation centers and barangay health stations. They provided a list of projects but declined to share audit reports or beneficiary lists.
Rep. Cajayon-Uy’s team emphasized “women and youth empowerment programs,” while Rep. Asistio’s camp highlighted “road concreting and school repairs.”
But for residents like 16-year-old Jay-ar, who missed a week of school in December due to flooding in Grace Park, these explanations ring hollow.
“Nakikita namin ‘yung mga banner: ‘Project of Cong. So-and-so.’ Pero pag tag-ulan, baha pa rin. Parang pampasaya lang ‘yung pera—hindi pampatuyo.”
The Bigger Question
With P8.3 billion in just three years—enough to build two modern pumping stations, reline 50 kilometers of drainage, or relocate 10,000 informal settler families—why does Caloocan remain trapped in a cycle of flood, filth, and frustration?
Is it incompetence? Corruption? Or a system designed to reward loyalty over results?
One thing is clear: while Caloocan’s congressmen count billions, its people are still counting the days until the next flood—and the next broken promise.
#CaloocanCrisis #PorkBarrelExposed #BilyonWalaSaMasa #BalitangHuli #FloodedButFunded #CaloocanPoverty #PoliticalDynasties #TransparencyNow #ARMYofTruth
Got a tip? Message us anonymously at balitanghuli@gmail.com. Your name won’t be published—but the truth will.
.jpg)
