The Philippine Senate is raising alarms over the significant increase in flood control funding, questioning the effectiveness of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amidst ongoing flooding issues.
In a recent Senate hearing, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla highlighted the staggering growth of the flood control budget, stating, “Nasa P42 billion lang yan nung 2015, pero lumobo sa halos P244.57 billion sa 2024. It grew by over P200 billion. And in less than 10 years, may isang trilyong budget kayo para sa baha.”
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This dramatic increase in funding has not translated into effective flood management, as evidenced by the recent flooding caused by Typhoon Carina, which left many areas in Metro Manila submerged.
Senator Nancy Binay expressed her frustration, noting that flood control projects have “failed to produce the necessary improvements to safeguard our communities.” She emphasized the inadequacy of the current flood management systems despite the substantial financial allocations to the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
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Further complicating the situation, Senator Imee Marcos questioned the existence of a comprehensive flood control master plan, asking, “The primordial question is really [whether] the DPWH has made reference to a flood control master plan for the 18 major river basins in the country. Does this exist? Do we actually have a master plan? …Until today we have no answer with regard to this master plan.”
Senator Joel Villanueva pointed out the lack of essential infrastructure, stating, “Yung mga lugar sa kalagatinaan ng Metro Manila na talaga namang kailangan ng pumping stations, yun pa yung wala.”
He also noted the unprecedented flooding experienced by the Senate itself, remarking, “For the first time naranasan ng Senado na halos hanggang bewang yung baha dito ho sa labas namin.”
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Villanueva further suggested that the ongoing reclamation projects might be exacerbating the flooding issues, stating, “Hindi ho ba common sense para sa amin dahil hindi naman po kami eksperto na sabihing may kinalaman yung reclamation dahil wala nang lusutan yung tubig.”
The DPWH’s admission of the absence of a national master plan for flood control has raised serious concerns among lawmakers and the public alike, as the country grapples with the implications of climate change and urbanization on its flood management strategies.