MANILA, Philippines — Flood control projects will still receive funding in 2026 from previously allocated but unused budgets, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian clarified yesterday, even after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s P275-billion request was scrapped over corruption concerns.
Gatchalian said Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon confirmed the DPWH’s agreement to scrap the controversial allocation in the 2026 National Expenditure Program, in line with the Senate’s own budget direction.
The finance committee chair said the DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management are now reviewing projects “one by one” to ensure that only effective flood interventions push through.
These may include flood control projects deemed to be needed, which have been funded from 2022 to 2025 but remain unfinished or unimplemented.
He stressed that the agency may still retain “a very small amount” from the P275 billion for areas identified as highly flood-prone by Project NOAH.
“If ever, they will leave a small allocation for NOAH-identified flooded areas. But as a rule, they will scrap it, they will no longer resubmit the P270 billion budget request for flood control projects,” Gatchalian said in an interview over radio dzBB.
Project NOAH develops hazard maps and risk assessment tools to guide disaster preparedness and climate resilience. Initially launched by the Department of Science and Technology in 2012 but phased out in 2017, it is now carried by the UP Resilience Institute.
President Marcos earlier announced that there would be no new flood control items in the 2026 national budget. He explained that about P350 billion in unspent funds from the 2025 budget and previous appropriations remain available and should be used before new proposals are considered.
Gatchalian clarified that not all flood control projects will grind to a halt.
“The issue was a bit exaggerated. Not all flood control projects are ineffective. I have spoken with many mayors, governors and congressmen who attest that projects in their jurisdiction are being supervised and proven effective,” he said, stressing how flood pumps and related facilities are proven interventions that should push through.
However, questionable dikes and river walls will undergo technical review.
Beyond flood control, Gatchalian revealed that his committee is spotting anomalies in other DPWH line items, citing some bridge projects described in multiple phases as a red flag.
He added that repetitive funding of roads and multipurpose buildings has also been detected.
P1.3 trillion lost to corruption
In just four years, the government lost approximately P1.3 trillion in public funds to deeply rooted and systemic corruption in DPWH flood control projects, BH party-list Rep. Robert Nazal claimed.
“It is unacceptable that trillions have been spent, yet our people are still drowning in floods. Agencies must explain why these projects failed and who allowed these mistakes to continue year after year,” he said.
“What we need is a science-based, nationwide flood control blueprint – not band-aid solutions scattered across districts,” Nazal stressed. “Until government comes up with a clear, coordinated plan, no amount of budget will solve this crisis.”
No ghost projects in Oriental Mindoro?
Meanwhile, an Australia-based self-styled independent engineering group that conducted an audit of the six flood control projects flagged by Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor and DPWH Secretary Dizon, debunked that they are ghost projects, yet it noted performance gaps and areas for reform.
Annabelle Tungol, a master environment auditor and licensed chemical engineer heading Artea Green Ventures, said that “after going to the project sites, we confirm that the six projects are real, on-site, and in various stages of completion. They have been audited and found not guilty.”
“I just want to help our countrymen because of the issues happening now. I really believe we deserve the truth,” Tungol added.
In their report, the audit team said that the projects generally complied with design standards, with features such as erosion protection and solar-powered light poles. The team also highlighted active supervision and community consultations.
However, localized issues such as exposed rebars, concrete cracks, and poor waste disposal were observed, mostly tied to a single contractor.