Bam Aquino wants Senate review of DPWH flood control spending

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino over the weekend filed a resolution urging the appropriate Senate committees to review how the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other implementing agencies have spent the P360-billion flood control budget for this year.

Aquino — who chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance — said that despite the P1.47 trillion allocated for flood control from 2009 to 2024, the country still suffers from poor drainage systems, ineffective flood measures, outdated pumping stations, and a lack of community-based flood risk management.

“There is a need to review the flood control strategies being implemented by the DPWH and other concerned agencies to be more cost-effective, suitable, innovative, and efficient to address the worsening conditions during the typhoon season in the Philippines,” Aquino said in his resolution.

Aquino also called on the government to tap Filipino scientists in crafting science-based flood control measures, and invest in an integrated and scientific solution to address flooding in the country, from infrastructure to the effects of climate change.

“Panahon na para gumamit ng ibang istratehiya. Let’s tap our world-class Filipino scientists and other experts in preventing flooding. Marami silang maiaambag sa pagreolba ng problemang ito,” he said in a statement released Sunday.

“Sa halip na gumasta tayo ng daang-bilyong piso sa flood control projects na kadalasa’y palpak at pinagmumulan pa ng katiwalian, pondohan natin ang mga programang tiyak na magbibigay proteksyon sa taumbayan at sa ating kinabukasan,” he added.

(It’s time to use a different strategy. Let’s tap our world-class Filipino scientists and other experts in preventing flooding. They have much to contribute in solving this problem.

Instead of spending hundreds of billions of pesos on flood control projects that are often failures and even sources of corruption, let us fund programs that will truly provide protection for the people and for our future.)

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Marcos warned government personnel who steal public funds — such as those for flood control projects — to have some shame.

He also earlier launched a website on flood control projects, and said 20% of the P545-billion budget for flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors, five of whom have contracts across the country. 

For his part, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan hinted at a possible “cleansing” in the DPWH to rid itself of erring officials and personnel. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News