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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH must account for years of failed flood control projects, says Bagong Henerasyon solon

DPWH must account for years of failed flood control projects, says Bagong Henerasyon solon

Published Sep 14, 2025 03:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal is prodding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under its new chief, Secretary Vince Dizon to account for every peso and answer for years of failed flood control projects.
Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal (left), DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon (Facebook)
Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal (left), DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon (Facebook)


Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal is prodding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under its new chief, Secretary Vince Dizon to account for every peso and answer for years of failed flood control projects.
Nazal had this to say ahead of the DPWH's presentation of its overhauled funding proposal in the 2026 budget plan to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
“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,” Nazal said in statement Sunday, Sept. 14.
By Wednesday, Dizon will have only been at the helm of the DPWH for a little over two weeks.
It can be recalled that the House Committee on Appropriations--which had been conducting per agency deliberations on the P6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) or proposed national budget for 2026--deferred the DPWH hearing last Sept. 5 amid the glut of questionable insertions in the original proposal.
Nazal also called for a masterplan to replace piecemeal flood control projects. “What we need is a science-based, nationwide flood control blueprint—not band-aid solutions scattered across districts."
“Until government comes up with a clear, coordinated plan, no amount of budget will solve this crisis,” he added.
Former BH Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera gave perspective to the current flood control projects controversy and the massive headache that it has caused to Filipinos.
“Since 2021, a staggering P1.3 trillion has been poured into flood control projects – money that was taken from the sweat and taxes of the Filipino people,” Herrera said.
Despite this massive sum, each heavy rainfall has shown that the projects meant to protect the public remain ineffective.
“Work and classes are still cancelled, students still wade through murky waters, cities grind to a halt, entire communities drown, and our fellow citizens die of leptospirosis and other preventable diseases,” she said.
Nazal said Congress must act decisively. “Taxpayers deserve more than half-baked projects that collapse or vanish in the rain,” he said.
“This investigation is about restoring trust. We owe it to the Filipino people to make sure that this cycle of waste and corruption finally ends,” he added.
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