Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto declared on Wednesday his plan to propose removing all flood control projects in areas not prone to flooding. This announcement comes as lawmakers review the P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026 while simultaneously investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects nationwide.
“I will propose to remove all flood control projects na hindi flood-prone (that are not in flood-prone areas),” Sotto said during a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. He emphasized the need for stricter oversight on these projects, noting that “there really needs to be a clear… it’s truly important to closely monitor who wins the bidding for these projects.”
Ensuring Accountability Among Contractors
Sotto also vowed to blacklist contractors involved in anomalous flood control contracts. Officials reported that he is determined to hold accountable those linked to questionable projects to prevent further misuse of public funds.
When asked about calls to suspend flood control projects for 2026 amid ongoing investigations, Sotto said he prefers to wait for the Executive branch’s response. “I have no personal reaction [to that], let us see how the executive will take it,” he added.
Concerns Over Dummy Contractors
Questions about possible dummy contractors among top government flood control bidders surfaced during the forum. Sotto acknowledged the likelihood of such practices, stating, “Based on what we know… among the top 15, we are aware that at least three or four of them have listed names that are not the actual owners.”
He further explained that some major contractors might be using front companies or individuals to mask their involvement. “There’s a possibility that some major contractors are behind some of them, while others are clearly not the real ones—guaranteed dummies, and not just one, maybe even two.” Community members noted that these dummies could potentially include active government officials.
“It’s possible. I’m not saying it’s confirmed, but it is possible,” Sotto concluded.
Ongoing Repair Efforts in Flood-Affected Areas
Meanwhile, repair work continues in flood-prone regions such as Barangay Boyugan East, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, where contractors are restoring damaged flood control infrastructure. Local leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining these projects in genuine flood-prone zones to protect communities.
As Congress deliberates the national budget and probes irregularities, the focus remains on ensuring that flood control projects are allocated efficiently and transparently, targeting only areas truly at risk.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
