PH spent over P1 trillion on flood control in last decade, says senator | ABS-CBN
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PH spent over P1 trillion on flood control in last decade, says senator
PH spent over P1 trillion on flood control in last decade, says senator
Residents wade through knee to waist-deep flood along P. Florentino Street in Quezon City on July 24, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN news
Residents wade through knee to waist-deep flood along P. Florentino Street in Quezon City on July 24, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN newsMANILA – The Philippines spent about P1 trillion on flood control in the last decade or so, Sen. Bong Revilla said Thursday, as he and other lawmakers went after multiple government agencies over the widespread flooding in Metro Manila and adjacent areas last week.
MANILA – The Philippines spent about P1 trillion on flood control in the last decade or so, Sen. Bong Revilla said Thursday, as he and other lawmakers went after multiple government agencies over the widespread flooding in Metro Manila and adjacent areas last week.
During an investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Works that Revilla chairs, he noted that the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) grows yearly.
During an investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Works that Revilla chairs, he noted that the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) grows yearly.
"Nasa P42 billion lang yan nung 2015, pero lumobo sa halos P244.57 billion sa 2024. It grew by over P200 billion. And in less than 10 years, may isang trilyong budget kayo para sa baha," Revilla said in his opening statement.
"Nasa P42 billion lang yan nung 2015, pero lumobo sa halos P244.57 billion sa 2024. It grew by over P200 billion. And in less than 10 years, may isang trilyong budget kayo para sa baha," Revilla said in his opening statement.
Sen. Nancy Binay said flood control projects had “failed to produce the necessary improvements to safeguard our communities.”
Sen. Nancy Binay said flood control projects had “failed to produce the necessary improvements to safeguard our communities.”
“It is deeply concerning that despite the significant funds allocated to DPWH and MMDA, our flood management systems remain inadequate," she said.
“It is deeply concerning that despite the significant funds allocated to DPWH and MMDA, our flood management systems remain inadequate," she said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently said that some 5,500 flood control projects had been completed since 2022.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently said that some 5,500 flood control projects had been completed since 2022.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who comes from flood-prone Bulacan, said senators wanted to know whether these projects were integrated in a master plan.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who comes from flood-prone Bulacan, said senators wanted to know whether these projects were integrated in a master plan.
"The primordial question is really [whether] the DPWH has made reference to a flood control master plan for the 18 major river basins in the country. Does this exist? Do we actually have a master plan? …Until today we have no answer with regard to this master plan," added Sen. Imee Marcos.
"The primordial question is really [whether] the DPWH has made reference to a flood control master plan for the 18 major river basins in the country. Does this exist? Do we actually have a master plan? …Until today we have no answer with regard to this master plan," added Sen. Imee Marcos.
Revilla noted that many pumping stations were not working.
Revilla noted that many pumping stations were not working.
"Yung mga lugar sa kalagatinaan ng Metro Manila na talaga namang kailangan ng pumping stations, yun pa yung wala," he said.
"Yung mga lugar sa kalagatinaan ng Metro Manila na talaga namang kailangan ng pumping stations, yun pa yung wala," he said.
Revilla pressed the government to explain whether the reclamation of Manila Bay was to blame for the flooding.
Revilla pressed the government to explain whether the reclamation of Manila Bay was to blame for the flooding.
Villanueva pointed out, "For the first time naranasan ng Senado na halos hanggang bewang yung baha dito ho sa labas namin and lahat ho kami nagtataka kasi parang first time ito ang laki ang taas ng tubig. And then you look at outside the Senate, wala na yung Manila Bay – Manila Sands na.”
Villanueva pointed out, "For the first time naranasan ng Senado na halos hanggang bewang yung baha dito ho sa labas namin and lahat ho kami nagtataka kasi parang first time ito ang laki ang taas ng tubig. And then you look at outside the Senate, wala na yung Manila Bay – Manila Sands na.”
“Hindi ho ba common sense para sa amin dahil hindi naman po kami eksperto na sabihing may kinalaman yung reclamation dahil wala nang lusutan yung tubig," he said.
“Hindi ho ba common sense para sa amin dahil hindi naman po kami eksperto na sabihing may kinalaman yung reclamation dahil wala nang lusutan yung tubig," he said.
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