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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gov't spent P1.939-trillion in flood control, yet floods remain uncontrolled—Lacson

Gov't spent P1.939-trillion in flood control, yet floods remain uncontrolled—Lacson

Published Aug 18, 2026 09:28 am

At A Glance

  • Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson made this observation on Monday evening, August 17 as the heavy monsoon rains inundated several parts of the country, particularly Metro Manila in recent days.


Despite the government spending P1.939-trillion on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control management program from 2011 to 2025, floods remain uncontrolled.

Senator Panfilo
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Photo from OS Lacson)

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson made this observation on Monday evening, August 17 as the heavy monsoon rains inundated several parts of the country, particularly Metro Manila in recent days.

“FLOOD CONTROL VS UNCONTROLLED FLOOD: PhP1.939 trillion funded the DPWH flood control management program under three presidents from 2011-2025 and the result is uncontrolled flood,” Lacson said in a post on X.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/2089334945106002133

According to the senator, historical data on DPWH flood management spending under the Aquino, Duterte and Marcos administrations from 2011 to 2025, with annual funding for flood management breaching the P100-billion mark in 2018 shows:

2011: P11.323 billion

2012: P10.816 billion

2013: P15.817 billion

2014: P30.001 billion

2015: P47.849 billion

2016: P67.740 billion

2017: P81.223 billion

2018: P139.001 billion

2019: P126.062 billion

2020: P116.047 billion

2021: P140.462 billion

2022: P145.622 billion

2023: P287.018 billion

2024: P346.771 billion

2025: P372.814 billion

Last year, Lacson saw that while the DPWH spent more than P1-trillion for flood management for the past 15 years—around P350 million a day—the problem still persists.

Since then, the lawmaker exposed several anomalous flood control projects, particularly in areas including Bulacan and Mindoro Oriental, through privilege speeches and in his hearings with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Only recently, he and his team uncovered several anomalous slope protection projects and illegal reclamation activities in Taguig City, the political bailiwick of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

The senator said he has turned over all related evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigation and prosecution.

Related Tags

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