Remulla to convene NCR mayors over flood response
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla vowed to go “full blast” in investigating alleged misuse of public funds mean for infrastructure projects as he pushed for an integrated approach to waste management as a long-term measure to address flooding.
Following marching orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fourth State of the Nation Address, Remulla said the DILG will look into allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds in government projects.
“I will give it to the investigation side of the DILG. We are going to go full blast on that. We will make sure that we cover [everything],” he said in an interview with PTV.
During his SONA on Monday, Mr. Marcos ordered a full audit of all flood control projects, blasting costly but ineffective infrastructure that failed amid recent floods in various areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Remulla also said he will meet with Metro Manila mayors Friday to discuss a more comprehensive and institutionalized approach to waste management.
“Because of inefficient planning for solid waste management over the past 30 years, local government units now struggle with the collection system,” Remulla said.
“We need a systematic approach so that the east, west, north, south – the whole of Metro Manila – are aligned,” he added.
He also lamented that under the Local Government Code, each LGU is solely responsible for its own waste management.
“The wording of the Local Government Code is one of the biggest hindrances for the government in planning waste management, and it’s something we have to revisit,” he said.
Metro Manila was one of the hardest hit areas during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon (habagat) and the series of weather systems in the country last week, affecting over 820,000 individuals.
Massive flooding was reported in various cities in the metropolis, submerging communities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways is set to submit to the President next week the list of all completed and ongoing flood control projects in the country since 2022.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said they are currently consolidating data from the different District Engineering Offices and Regional Offices on all the flood control projects under the present administration.
“I have directed all District Engineering Offices and Regional Offices to go all over their respective areas and identify all flood control projects that have been completed and in progress,” Bonoan added.
At the same time, Bonoan said they will also include in the list the projects undertaken by past administrations.
Asked if they were able to identify the flood control projects that failed to function as intended during the weather disturbances that caused massive flooding last week, he said: “We will categorize them because there are many flood control projects that have been completed and have functioned during the previous administration.”
“We have to identify them, if these projects are still working or need rehabilitation, they have withstood many typhoons, floods, we will have them checked,” Bonoan added.
For his part, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno proposed on Wednesday the transfer of operations and maintenance of flood control infrastructure to LGUs to better address flooding problems.
“If you give the mayor the authority, you get action and accountability… Let us handle it because we face the people every day. And when we fail, there is no one else to blame,” he said.
“If you let the mayor run it and it fails, there is direct responsibility. In three years, if we mess up, we are done,” he added.
The mayor also lauded the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for its effective operation of 72 pumping stations across Metro Manila, 24 of which are located in Moreno’s city.
