Senator Panfilo Lacson warned Sunday that up to P1 trillion of the nearly P2 trillion allocated for flood control projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may have been lost to corruption.
“It’s absurd. Shouldn’t floodwaters be going down instead of rising since we are allocating larger funds? Why is it directly proportional? Something is very wrong. If not in management, then perhaps in planning or in policy,” he said.
“Out of that P2 trillion, maybe P1 trillion has gone into the pockets of certain people,” Lacson added.
The senator urged the government to conduct a thorough review of its preparation, planning, and implementation mechanisms to address persistent flooding nationwide.
He argued that while climate change is often blamed for worsening floods, systemic mismanagement and questionable fund use cannot be overlooked.
Lacson also pointed out that the public deserves to know where these substantial funds have gone and why infrastructure meant to alleviate flooding seems ineffective.
“Climate change is included as one of the reasons for flooding, but that is always the convenient excuse,” he said.
The senator’s remarks came a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his State of the Nation Address.
Lacson said he hopes the president will include the issue of flood control funds in his speech to ensure national attention.
“I think it will be included,” he said.
