At A Glance
- DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said he is ready to go on leave to allow an impartial audit of the agency's flood control projects.
- The audit directive comes amid concerns over the effectiveness of more than 5,500 completed structures, some of which failed during Typhoon Carina.
DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Monday, Aug. 4, expressed readiness to step aside to allow an impartial audit of the agency’s flood control projects, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive in his recent State of the Nation Address.
Bonoan said he has no objection to going on leave if necessary, underscoring his support for measures that promote transparency in the audit process.
“I will await the instructions of the President. I have no objections to going on leave. If it’s necessary, why not?” he said.
The suggestion for Bonoan’s temporary leave came from Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez, who stressed the importance of ensuring objectivity to reinforce public trust in the outcome of the review.
Bonoan said he does not take offense at the recommendation, adding that it may be grounded in valid concerns.
He also emphasized that he serves at the pleasure of the President.
“We have nothing to hide from the President,” he said, noting that a list of completed flood control projects will be submitted to Malacañang within the week.
Should a more extensive review be pursued, Bonoan expressed support for a joint audit involving the DPWH, Commission on Audit, and civil society groups.
He further disclosed that certain flood control items in the proposed P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 were not recommended by the DPWH but were introduced during budget deliberations without endorsement from the Department of Budget and Management.
The audit directive comes amid mounting concerns over the effectiveness of more than 5,500 flood control structures reportedly completed by the department, several of which were overwhelmed during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina.