Abante flags Davao flood control projects; Pulong says every centavo well spent

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte should check the flood control projects under his jurisdiction amid the heavy flooding in the area, Manila Representative Benny Abante said.

Abante, House committee on human rights chairperson, was responding to Mayor Duterte’s statement that the administration’s crackdown on flood control projects is simply a public relations move.

“I suggest that the Mayor ask his brother, Congressman Pulong Duterte, how much Davao City got for flood control during the time of their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte,” Abante said in a press conference.

“I-reveal niya kung magkano, kung saan ginamit, kung saan ginamit ang pondong yan. Kung papano ginamit yan, kung ilang bilyon ang napunta sa flood control project. At kung bakit malaki pa [rin] ang baha sa Davao,” Abante added.

(They should reveal the amount of the flood control budget, where they spent it on, how they used it, and why Davao is still being flooded.)

In response, Rep. Pulong Duterte said all the flood control projects in his district were completed and implemented appropriately.

“Let me be clear, all projects allocated to my district are properly implemented and completed. If he really wants to know the exact figures, I am directing DPWH District and Regional Offices to provide him with the official data and amounts,” the congressman said, referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Besides, do not mind the floods in Davao, I can guarantee everybody that every peso allocated was implemented.Wala naman nagbabagsakan na mga flood control projects dito, wala din mga ghost projects dito,” the congressman added.

In addition, Pulong Duterte said flooding in Davao is not as bad as in other parts of the country.

“Kung may baha man dito, humuhupa din agad hindi kagaya ng mga swimming pool niyo dyan sa lugar ninyo,”he said.

“Instead of questioning the development projects that benefit the people of Davao, perhaps you should start answering for your own questionable position in Congress,” Pulong Duterte added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News