COA Should Lead Flood Control Project Reviews, Makabayan Says
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc insist that the Commission on Audit (COA) — not the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) — should lead the review of issues in flood control projects. They stressed the importance of this four-word keyphrase to ensure transparency and accountability.
During a recent statement, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co emphasized that although investigating the problems in flood control projects is necessary, the DPWH, as the implementing body, cannot objectively review its own work due to potential conflicts of interest.
“The DPWH cannot be trusted to investigate itself when it is neck-deep in these anomalies. This is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse,” Tinio said, highlighting concerns about self-audit by the agency responsible for the projects.
Co added in Filipino, “The DPWH is part of the problem, not the solution. How can they audit their own failures? It would be a whitewash, pure and simple.”
Why COA Has the Mandate and Expertise
Tinio pointed out that COA holds the technical skills, independence, and constitutional authority to conduct thorough audits of government programs and contracts. He cited COA’s past efforts, such as exposing the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam and scrutinizing confidential funds, as proof of its capability to uncover the truth behind flood control failures.
“COA has the technical expertise, independence, and constitutional mandate to conduct thorough audits. They can certainly reveal the truth behind these flood control failures by reviewing past audit reports,” Tinio explained.
Presidential Call for Accountability
In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned officials and contractors allegedly profiting from flood control projects. His strong words came after severe flooding hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to successive cyclones and a strengthened southwest monsoon.
Flood control issues were a major focus of the President’s speech, amid growing fears that billions meant for these projects may have been lost to corruption. Senator Panfilo Lacson also warned that nearly half of the country’s P2 trillion flood control budget since 2011 might have been misused, urging an immediate review.
Marcos announced plans for an audit and performance review to track how taxpayers’ money was spent. He also warned lawmakers that any national budget not aligned with his administration’s priorities would be vetoed, even if it means reenacting previous budgets.
Ongoing Concerns Over DPWH’s Role
Co stressed that DPWH has long been criticized for poor implementation and lack of transparency in flood control projects. “During budget hearings, we already pointed out the deficiencies. Now, we see catastrophic consequences — billions wasted while people continue to suffer,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
She added, “The culture of impunity in the DPWH must not continue. The people deserve answers, and only an independent body like COA can provide them.”
Reports from Makabayan reveal that previous audits flagged DPWH for failing to efficiently manage over 3,000 local infrastructure projects worth P131.5 billion. Problems included poor planning, engineering, supervision, and monitoring, which led to delays, non-implementation, and violations of procurement laws.
Call to Congress for Immediate Action
The Makabayan bloc urged Congress to pass a resolution directing COA to conduct an immediate and comprehensive audit of all DPWH flood control projects from 2016 to the present. They believe this step is vital to protect public funds and restore trust.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
