Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (CO’s Facebook page)

There is no "billion-peso budget" for food control in Bicol, for the record. 

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co had this to say on Friday, Oct. 25 amid claims on social media of such an allocation for the Bicol region, which was battered and left inundated by typhoon "Kristine". 

Co said that contrary to rumors, Bicol has one of the smallest allocations for national road infrastructure and flood control projects. 

“There's no truth to the alleged billion-peso appropriations for Bicol flood control. In fact, the region’s funding for national roads and flood control are among the smallest in the country,” said the second-term solon. 

Vo stressed that the current administration’s infrastructure strategy, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, prioritizes integrating flood control measures with sustainable water management to enhance food security. 

He cited ongoing efforts to ensure that all flood control projects are linked to water impounding facilities managed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which serve as vital sources of irrigation for local farmlands. 

“Congress, under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, is ensuring that all flood control initiatives are connected to NIA’s water management system. This approach ensures that these projects contribute directly to our agricultural needs,” said Co, who underscored the administration’s commitment to sustainable solutions. 

Co credited the Romualdez-led Congress for curbing unnecessary flood control expenditures. He noted that because of these reforms, Congress unanimously agreed not to fund projects that fail to align with safety and food production goals. 

“For the first time in three decades and across five administrations, we ceased funding for flood control projects, rocknetting and safety devices in the House of Representatives that do not provide long-term benefits,” he added. 

He contrasted this approach with that of the previous administration, which allocated P51 billion for Davao and nearly P200 billion for rocknetting over three years, often without ensuring alignment with food security and public safety. 

Under the current Marcos administration, Co said every peso is directed towards meaningful projects that not only mitigate disasters but also bolster food production in Bicol. 

Co reaffirmed his commitment to responsible infrastructure spending, ensuring funds are used effectively to support sustainable development in the region.