DPWH vows tighter monitoring of P107.4-B flood control budget for 2027

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday vowed tighter monitoring of the P107.4 billion flood control budget for 2027.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit's 'On Record,' DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency carefully reviewed the allocation to ensure that projects included in the budget have proper plans.

“Kailangan talaga, bantayan na nang maigi yan,” Dizon said.

(It really needs to be closely monitored.)

“Talagang yan babantayan hindi lang ng gobyerno, kundi pati na rin ng mga ng mga local government units natin, ng ating mga civil society, mga NGO natin, at babantayan din ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.

(That will definitely be monitored not only by the government but also by those of our local government units, our civil societies, and our NGOs, and also watched by our countrymen.)

The tighter scrutiny comes as the government faces continuing criticism over flooding and anomalous flood control projects.

Dizon said the P107.4 billion allocation is significantly lower than previous flood control budgets, which had reached nearly P300 billion annually.

Under the new approach, flood control projects should have detailed plans and must be coordinated with provinces and local governments to ensure they address actual needs in their respective areas.

The DPWH chief also cited the administration's Transparency Portal, which he said would allow the public to see and monitor government projects.

Dizon acknowledged that while some areas have experienced improvements from declogging and dredging operations, flooding remains a major problem that cannot be solved overnight.

He said the government is pursuing both immediate and long-term measures, including regular dredging and the improvement of drainage systems.

For longer-term solutions, Dizon said the government is studying projects such as dams and water-retention structures in mountainous areas, as well as the long-discussed spillway connecting Laguna Lake to Manila Bay through Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Cavite.

Dizon said the administration is working with experts and local governments in preparing the flood-control projects for the 2027 budget.

He stressed that the government needs to ensure that flood-control funds are directed toward projects that can provide lasting solutions to communities affected by flooding. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA News