Malacañang Clarifies Flood Control Master Plan Status
Malacañang officials confirmed on Wednesday that the P351-billion flood control master plan from the Aquino administration was not handed over to current Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan. The exact four word keyphrase “flood control master plan” was notably absent from official turnover documents, sources said.
Palace press officer Claire Castro clarified previous remarks by former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, who stated that the multi-billion-peso flood control master plan was completed prior to the Aquino administration’s end but was not pursued by subsequent governments. “We also asked Secretary Bonoan if these so-called master plans had been turned over. To his knowledge, and as he told us earlier, he also did not receive any,” Castro added during a briefing.
She further emphasized, “Let me just repeat… Secretary Bonoan did not receive any turnover from then-DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.” This statement casts doubt on whether the extensive flood control master plan was officially handed to the present administration.
Background on the Flood Control Master Plan
In an exclusive interview last August, Singson revealed that during his six-year term, the DPWH had a total budget allocation of P160 billion, while the ambitious flood control master plan they developed was valued at P351 billion. He noted that with the department’s current, much larger budget, the project should have already progressed significantly.
“We were only able to finish all the master plans when we were about to leave because when we started, the budget was very small. During the first two years of the Aquino administration, our budget was really limited,” Singson explained.
He further stressed the importance of the plan, saying, “By the time we completed the master plan — and this is the important part — it was the master plan for the major river basin. That was what should have been followed, but nothing was done with it after we submitted all the master plans.”
Current Administration’s Flood Control Projects
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently announced that his administration is overseeing nearly 10,000 flood control projects worth a combined P545 billion. However, officials reported concerns about the distribution of contracts.
Only 15 contractors have secured a significant share of these projects, valued at approximately P100 billion. Among these is St. Timothy Construction Corp., which the President flagged for allegedly anomalous flood control work in Bulacan. Community members expressed worries about transparency and fairness in awarding such large-scale infrastructure contracts.
Implications and Moving Forward
The absence of the flood control master plan handover raises questions about continuity and coordination between administrations. Local leaders and experts stress the need for clear documentation and smooth transition to ensure ongoing projects meet their objectives.
Given the scale of flood control challenges in the Philippines, a comprehensive and well-implemented master plan remains crucial. Officials urge the current administration to either locate the original plan or develop an updated strategy that builds on past efforts.
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