Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771651222402HBpeMRGawAAGeQg.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="To mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, advocates, church organizations, and civil society groups introduced Bisto Proyekto, a nationwide, people-led initiative to inspect flood control projects. Allison Co, ABS-CBN News "/>To mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, advocates, church organizations, and civil society groups introduced Bisto Proyekto, a nationwide, people-led initiative to inspect flood control projects. Allison Co, ABS-CBN News   MANILA — Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, advocates, church groups, and civil society members launched &#x27;Bisto Proyekto: Ang Bagong People Power&#x27;, a citizen-initiated nationwide inspection of flood control projects.</div>At the launch event held at the Adamson University Theater on Saturday, February 21, the anti-corruption group Taongbayan Action for Participatory, Accountable and Transparent Governance (TAPAT) unveiled the Bisto.ph platform, which allows the public to access a detailed database and map of flood control projects and participate in their monitoring.TAPAT Lead and Bisto Proyekto Director Dondon Parafina said citizens can log in to the platform, register their details, and submit reports anonymously.During the panel discussion, a question was raised on whether ordinary citizens without technical engineering knowledge could still contribute to inspecting infrastructure projects.For People’s Budget Coalition co-convenor Ken Abante, the answer was simply yes, emphasizing that lived experience itself is a form of expertise.“Whether you have a degree or not, kapag lagi kang dumadaan sa kalsada na yan, lagi mong nakikita yung flood control project na yan, meron kang karapatan, meron kang kakayahan na magkomento at sabihin, binabaha po kami, hindi po gumagana yung flood control project dito sa area na to,” he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/14/coa-flags-p275-m-flood-control-projects-in-bulacan-1334">COA flags P275-M flood control projects in Bulacan over &#x27;unauthorized relocations, questionable accomplishments&#x27;</a></div>While stressing the importance of inspection and monitoring, Ramon del Rosario Jr., former finance chief and CEO of PHINMA Corp., noted that concrete action must follow.The Department of Public Works and Highways also signed a memorandum of agreement with TAPAT formally recognizing Bisto Proyekto as a partner in citizen-led inspection and monitoring efforts.“Kanina nag-report yung monitors natin from Naga, right away po pinadala natin sa regional director natin, at nag-respond po siya na pa-iinspect niya ho yung area… So ganoon po ang klase ng partnership meron po tayo na kung meron pong sinasabi ang tao na observation sa pamamagitan po ng Bisto Proyekto, dapat po yun ay action na natugunan po ng departamento,” Public Works Undersecretary Nicasio Conti explained.Beyond the project, Conti also added that the DPWH continues to collaborate with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to ensure accountability among officials involved.“Patuloy po ang pangangalap namin ng ebidensya. Wala ho kaming personalidad na tinitingnan. Where the evidence will lead us, yan po ang ginagawa natin.”Former ICI commissioner Rogelio Singson — also a former DPWH secretary — also pointed out that people, including former Sen. Ramon &quot;Bong&quot; Revilla Jr., have been arrested in some of the cases.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/20/doj-resets-revilla-counter-affidavit-filing-in-plunder-complaint-1800">DOJ resets Revilla counter-affidavit filing in plunder complaint</a></div>“Meron naman, unfortunately, yung principal na gusto namin unang makulong, nasa Portugal daw,” Singson said, referring to former congressman Zaldy Co, who remains at large.During the discussion, economist Cielo Magno also emphasized the importance of ensuring the project’s sustainability.“The reality now is that these things happen kasi may nangungulit, may nag-iinsist… Ang hope ko sa proseso na ito hindi dapat siya leadership-driven na kapag nagpalit na ng mga leaders sa ahensya, nagpalit na ng friendly officials mawawala na yung proyekto. Kailangan natin yung tunay na pagkilala sa right to information.”Parafino also emphasized the importance of our right to inspect, which contributes the sustainability of projects.Toward the end of the event, the nationwide inspection officially began through a Zoom call, with citizen participants from across the country, from Luzon to Mindanao, reporting on the status of flood control projects in their respective areas.As expected, the issues reported were substandard, delayed and incomplete projects.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/19/ici-chair-reyes-won-t-compromise-life-flood-control-says-will-fight-to-the-very-end-2221">ICI chair Reyes won’t compromise life, flood control; says will fight to the very end</a></div>

Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, advocates, church groups, and civil society members launched Bisto Proyekto: Ang Bagong People Power, a citizen-initiated nationwide inspection of flood control projects.

Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, advocates, church groups, and civil society members launched Bisto Proyekto: Ang Bagong People Power, a citizen-initiated nationwide inspection of flood control projects.

Ang Bagong People Power: Citizens launch nationwide people-led flood control inspections

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Ang Bagong People Power: Citizens launch nationwide people-led flood control inspections

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 21, 2026 01:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Flood control

EDSA People Power

DPWH

TAPAT

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.