Students of Bulacan State University (BulSU) and progressive groups staged a rally on Friday, September 19, outside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office to denounce alleged “ghost” flood control projects in the province.
The protest, led by BIGKIS Bulacan, BulSU Student Government, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), and Pagkakaisa ng Mangingisda at Mamamayan ng Manila Bay (PMMB), accused the DPWH of diverting public funds to questionable projects while neglecting disaster preparedness and essential services. Supporters from San Jose del Monte, Norzagaray, and Plaridel joined the action.
Before marching, protesters gathered at Sta. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish where KMP’s Danilo “Daning” Ramos criticized what he called budget misuse tied to graft under the Marcos Jr. administration. At the DPWH office, police officers formed a barricade with riot shields, but youth leaders pressed on with chants demanding higher education and social service funding.
As part of their symbolic protest, farmers and students hurled mud at a mock DPWH transparency billboard. The rally ended with calls for a BulSU walkout, a press conference at Barasoain Church, and the continuation of the “Black Friday Protest” at the Provincial Capitol grounds.
