Calls to Investigate Anomalous Flood Control Projects Intensify
A coalition of civic, church, scientific, and business groups is urging authorities to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for anomalous flood control projects. The coalition emphasized the need to hold accountable not only contractors but also government officials, lawmakers, auditors, and private entities linked to these projects.
Community members and local leaders noted that beyond President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plan to establish an independent commission, agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) should scrutinize tax records and suspicious financial transactions of the top contractors involved in flood control projects.
Wide Support from Diverse Sectors
More than 150 individuals and organizations, including religious leaders such as Caloocan Bishop Pablo David and Archbishop Socrates Villegas, local officials like Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, have joined the call. Prominent groups such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, universities, party-list organizations, and civil society watchdogs also signed the joint statement.
They stressed, “Systems of accountability in the country are weak with very few ‘big fish’ and ‘masterminds’ convicted. Initial energies in controversies may devolve to witch-hunts of ‘small fish’ or ‘mid-level managers’ that end up maintaining systems of corruption.”
Demand for Comprehensive Investigations and Audits
The coalition urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate politicians who received campaign contributions from contractors linked to these projects. They also called on the Commission on Audit to widen its fraud audit beyond Bulacan province, where most alleged ghost projects appear concentrated.
Officials reported that the group challenged President Marcos to appoint an independent ombudsman who will “fearlessly file cases and lift the secrecy” surrounding politicians’ statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth, which have been withheld from the public under former Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
Accountability for Flood Control Projects
“There must be people who would be held accountable,” the signatories said. They urged the proposed independent commission and enforcement bodies to investigate and press charges not only against contractors and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but also legislators and auditors responsible for these flood control projects.
Sources revealed that since July, the Marcos administration’s crackdown has uncovered how billions in taxpayer money were diverted to fund substandard and ghost flood control projects through collusion between DPWH officials and members of Congress. This alarming discovery has intensified calls for transparency and justice.
Government Response and Budget Review
President Marcos has promised to establish a commission to investigate the anomalous projects. Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman were ordered to conduct a “sweeping review” of the DPWH’s proposed P881.7-billion 2026 budget.
During the DPWH budget hearing, Dizon acknowledged that several flood control projects appear to be sited in areas not prone to flooding. He also expressed concern that these projects do not align with the 2014 master plan for Metro Manila and 18 river basins, a blueprint left by former Secretary Singson in 2016.
Call for Science-Based Flood Management
In light of these findings, the coalition urged the DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management to convene an independent review of all current flood control projects. They insisted that future proposals should be grounded in sound science rather than outdated flood control methods focusing heavily on concrete structures.
They emphasized the importance of adopting modern flood management principles that include nature-based solutions such as reforestation and watershed restoration. The group demanded that the independent review panel be composed of experts with unimpeachable integrity, including flood management scientists, hydrologists, local community representatives, and people’s organizations most affected by flood risks and the climate crisis.
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