The Senate is set to review the funds of government agencies in charge of flood control projects in the next budget deliberation.
Senator Grace Poe expressed concern that despite the increasing budget allocated for flood control projects every year, the worsening flooding in Metro Manila indicates that the funds are not being utilized effectively.
In the upcoming budget deliberation, Poe stated that the flood control budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other relevant agencies will be thoroughly examined.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also highlighted the delayed flood control projects of DPWH, suggesting that the effects of recent typhoons could have been mitigated if these projects had been completed.
As of July 24, Metro Manila and five neighboring provinces were placed under a state of calamity after being submerged by heavy flooding due to the typhoon, affecting 882,861 individuals or 183,464 families from 686 barangays nationwide.
Following heavy flooding from Typhoon Carina, which affected hundreds of thousands of individuals, Senator Cayetano criticized the years of inaction on crucial flood control projects, emphasizing the need for better infrastructure to protect communities.
During a previous Senate hearing, Cayetano questioned the allocation of resources to unfinished flood control projects and raised concerns about the maintenance and rehabilitation budget of the DPWH, which accounts for a significant portion of its total budget.
Additionally, Cayetano called for improved hazard mapping by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to aid in the selection of better locations for flood-related infrastructure.
Navotas Rep.Toby Tiangco meanwhile thanked President Marcos for visiting Navotas Thursday afternoon to inspect the damaged Tangos-Tanza navigational gate and distribute relief packs to evacuees.
“Massive flooding in Navotas had become a thing of the past, especially since we surrounded our city with bombastik pumping stations. The company responsible for the damage to the navigational gate should be held accountable. We must ensure such negligence does not happen again,” he further said.
Tiangco said they discussed with the President the plans for the repair of the floodgate.
The president also instructed DSWD to distribute 1,800 food packs, 288 boxes of bottled water, and 500 family kits to flood victims in Navotas.
The President was joined by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, MMDA chair Romando Artes, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Vice Mayor Tito Sanchez and Navotas City Councilors.
Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez, along with Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Committee on Appropriations Chairperson and Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, visited Navotas late Friday afternoon. They inspected the extent of the damage to the navigational gate and brought 1,000 relief packs from the Office of the Speaker.
Earlier in the day, Rep. Tiangco and Mayor Tiangco donated 28,000 kilos of fish to Navoteños as they await the delivery of relief items, which encountered delays due to the after-effects of severe flooding in Metro Manila. With Maricel Cruz
