Pangilinan calls for accounting of flood-control spending

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday urged the government to provide a full accounting of funds allocated for flood-control projects amid widespread flooding caused by persistent monsoon rains.

“Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na malaman kung saan napunta ang bawat pisong inilaan para sa flood control. Dapat malinaw kung saan ito napunta at kung ano ang naging resulta. Hindi pwedeng may proyekto sa papel pero kapag umulan, binabaha pa rin ang mga tao,” Pangilinan said in a press release.

(“Every Filipino has the right to know where every peso allocated for flood control was used. It should be clear where the money went and what the results were. There cannot be projects that exist only on paper while people still get flooded whenever it rains,”)

The call came as heavy southwest monsoon or habagat rains flooded several areas and prompted the suspension of classes and government work in parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

According to the senator, a complete accounting of flood-control funds that include the projects funded, their locations, costs, contractors, implementation status, and actual results on the ground, is needed.

Moreover, Pangilinan also called for the development of a comprehensive national flood management plan.

“Kahit gumastos tayo ng bilyon-bilyon, pero kung walang pagkakaugnay-ugnay ang ating flood control management plan, eh lulubog at lulubog pa rin ang ating mga kalsada at mga bahayan,” Pangilinan stressed.

(“Even if we spend billions, if our flood control management plan is not coordinated, our roads and homes will continue to be flooded,”)

He said a national flood management plan should be science-based, transparent, and designed to address both current flooding problems and future risks brought about by climate change and other environmental concerns.

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