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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Inanod na rin ng baha?' Billions worth of flood control projects not felt, senators say

'Inanod na rin ng baha?' Billions worth of flood control projects not felt, senators say

Published Jul 26, 2024 04:52 am

Some senators lamented how the billions worth of flood control projects were not felt despite its increasing budget allocation every year.

4Flood situation at Taft and UN Ave in Manila as of nine in the morning of Tuesday, July 24, 2024. (Noel B. Pabalate).jpg
(Noel Pabalate/MB file photo)

Senator Grace Poe said that the worsening flooding in Metro Manila appears "not to complement" the increasing budget.

"With every downpour, our taxpayers are left shortchanged and wading through damaging and disease-carrying floods," she said.

"Inanod na rin ba ng baha ang bilyon-bilyong pondo para sa flood mitigation (Were billions worth of flood mitigation funds also flooded?)" she added.

In the upcoming budget deliberations, Poe said that the flood control budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as well as other agencies would go through a needle's eye.

"We will also urge concerned agencies and local government units to ensure building and other infrastructure projects do not block waterways," she added.

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva said that President Marcos may been "misled" after the latter disclosed in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that more than 5,000 flood control programs have been finished.

"Sabi nila 60 percent has been completed. Pag tinanong mo sa ground kasi okay lang siguro na yung hanggang bewang ay hanggang bukong bukong nalang. Hindi po, eh. Yung hanggang bewang naging hanggang lampas tao. Yun po ang nais nating tignan (They said 60 percent has already been completed. Although when you ask on the ground it's not like the flood water has dissipated from the waist down to the ankle. It's not. From the waist, it's now even higher. That's what we want to look into)," he said.

"I’ve already spoken with the Senate President. On Monday, I will be delivering a privilege speech in the Senate," he added.

He mentioned that they will investigate this and it's unacceptable to hear excuses that the amount of rainfall was too high.

Related Tags

Senator Grace Poe Senator Joel Villanueva President Marcos Flood control projects
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