Lacson: P1 trillion for flood control possibly lost to corruption

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson raised alarm yesterday over the possibility that as much as half of the nearly P2 trillion allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption.

In an interview over dzBB, Lacson questioned the effectiveness of the government’s long-standing flood mitigation efforts, calling for a full review of planning, preparation and implementation systems.

“Climate change has been tagged as a factor in the flooding problem, but it has become a convenient excuse for some. We need to see where we can improve in terms of preparation, planning and implementation. We also cannot discount that of the P2 trillion in allocations, P1 trillion may have ended up in some people’s pockets,” he told dzBB.

Lacson pointed to the persistent flooding across the country despite significant increase in funding.

“It’s absurd. With bigger funding, shouldn’t flood levels be going down? Why is the rise in funding directly proportional to the rise in floodwater levels? Something is very wrong – if not with management, then with planning and policy,” he said.

Lacson added he expects President Marcos to address the issue during his State of the Nation Address.

Meanwhile, the senior citizens’ party-list organization in the House of Representatives called on all local government units across the country to beef up their disaster preparedness and response measures.

“We’re now in an era where climate change makes weather conditions more erratic and destructive and while we do have preparations during times like this, it is only appropriate to explore other measures that would help us to cope better in the future,” Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said.

Ordanes also mentioned the need to support the most vulnerable members of society, as well as families with elderly members who may have special transport and medical needs.

He asked LGUs to consider elderly-friendly evacuation centers, medical kits for chronic illnesses, and early warning systems that consider mobility and access issues faced by senior citizens.