BILLIONS WORTH FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS, TO BE REVIEWED

Aftermath of massive flooding along Barangay Malanday in Marikina City due to typhoon Carina and habagat (Photo courtesy of Ismael De Juan/The Manila Times)

On President Bongbong Marcos third State of the Nation Address, he mentioned that more than 5,500 flood control projects were completed. But Senators and netizens backlash and questioned the flood control project after massive flooding due to typhoon Carina and habagat.

According to the President, “We have to relook, we have to reexamine some of the designs of our flood control projects. Because for example, the amount of water was not as bad as Ondoy, but the effect was greater than Ondoy.”

“The flood is worse. More areas are submerged with floodwaters compared to the time of Ondoy. But we have more flood control projects now than before,” he added.

Marcos’s call to the public saying, "I hope the people will learn. Please don't throw away your trash carelessly because they are blocking our pumps. That's why they weren't effective." 

Meanwhile, according to Senate President Francis Escudero, the DPWH’s flood control projects has allotted around P255 billion in the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024. "What happened to the hundreds of billions of flood control projects of the DPWH, MMDA and local governments?"

“Will it always be like this? We would just accept that every time it rains heavily, there will be flooding and our lives will be paralyzed? What happened to ‘building back better?’” Escudero asked.

Escudero said that the Senate public works committee, will conduct an inquiry to “uncover the reasons behind the apparent inefficacy of the flood control projects despite the substantial funding.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas also probe the billion projects after many parts of the country were flooded. “The disconnect between the administration’s claims and the reality on the ground is alarming.”

“It is said that billions of funds are being invested in flood control projects, but the people suffer from constant floods every rainy season. The people need to know where this fund is going,” she added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

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