(MANILA BULLETIN)

Where did the P244.57-billion allocation for flood control projects go to? 

Makabayan solon Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas called for a House inquiry Thursday, July 25 for the purpose of getting this question answered even as the country reeled from the effects widespread flooding caused by Typhoon "Carina". 

"Kailangang malaman ng taumbayan saan napupunta ang pondong ito (The public must know where all these funds went)," said Brosas, who is a House assistant minority leader. 

She chided President Marcos for claiming in his SONA last Monday, July 22 that the government has completed its flood control initiatives. 

"The disconnect between the administration's claims and the reality on the ground is alarming," Brosas said. 

On Thursday, government work and classes at all levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) were suspended due to heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Carina. Many roads remained impassable, and numerous communities experienced severe flooding. 

"For years, we've seen corruption-tainted and ineffective flood control projects. We need to put an end to this cycle that only serves to line the pockets of corrupt officials while leaving our people vulnerable to disasters," Brosas emphasized. 

The lady lawmaker urged both the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing flood control programs under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

"In the upcoming budget deliberations, Gabriela Women's Party will scrutinize every peso of the billion-peso budget for flood control projects," Brosas said. 

This was supported by another Makabayan congresswoman in ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro. 

"The Marcos Jr. administration has allotted a drastically high budget for flood control funds in the 2024 budget of the DPWH, but thousands of people were forced to flee to their roofs or evacuate due to the massive floods caused by the Super Typhoon Carina," said the deputy minority leader.