Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to shift away from fragmented, “tingi-tingi” infrastructure projects, saying incomplete flood-control systems and roadworks fail to serve their intended purpose and could result in wasted public funds.During the DPWH Budget hearing of Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Suntay questioned why flood-control projects and highway improvements were often divided into smaller portions, allowing them to qualify for funding but leaving them disconnected from one another.“Kasi ang napapansin ko, for example ’yung mga flood control na ginagawa at saka ’yung mga highways. Karaniwan uh kadalasan bungi-bungi siya eh,” Suntay said.He noted that some projects appeared to be deliberately divided into smaller components, citing instances where funding was kept below P50 million.“Bakit? Kasi pinipilit na below 50 million so ’yun lang ang mapopondohan,” he said.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/dpwh-convergence-and-special-support-program-neither-a-secret-nor-new-palace-1658">DPWH Convergence and Special Support Program neither a secret nor new — Palace</a></div>Suntay said the same problem could be seen in road projects, where four-lane roads would suddenly narrow to two lanes before eventually becoming four lanes again, with years passing before construction resumes.“Ang nangyayari, ‘yung kalsada nagiging convenient na parking space lang para do’n sa mga may-ari ng bahay sa gilid ng kalsada,” Suntay added.The lawmaker proposed treating major flood-control programs as flagship projects of the Office of the President, allowing the government to fund and complete entire systems rather than spreading allocations across different districts.“Why can’t it just be a flagship program of the Office of the President? Pondohan ’yung isang buo para hindi bungi-bungi, instead of spreading it sa mga district tapos ’nung kina-cut na tig-50 million para lang maipit sa distrito,” Suntay said.He stressed that flood-control projects would be ineffective if built only in isolated sections.“Why can’t it be implemented na lang? Make it a flagship program. Pondohan ’yung buo, kasi it does not serve a purpose. Gagawa ng flood control na ilang metro lang tapos ’nung wala naman kadugtong, then it defeats the purpose of doing it,” he said.DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon agreed with Suntay’s assessment, saying the agency was working to address numerous unfinished infrastructure projects inherited from previous administrations.He acknowledged that many existing projects had been implemented in fragmented portions and said the DPWH was trying to move toward a more centralized approach.“Ang problema lang po is itong mga dinatnan nating mga, kagaya ’nung sinabi niyo, tingi-tingi. Kailangan po nating tapusin ’yan,” Dizon said.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/4/dpwh-cebu-officials-private-individuals-face-flood-control-complaints-1746">DPWH Cebu officials, private individuals face flood control complaints</a></div>Dizon said the DPWH had also tightened its rules on flood-control projects, requiring flood-mitigation initiatives to fall under the appropriate national program rather than being funded through basic infrastructure allocations.“Ngayon po naging very very strict po kami. Lahat po dapat ay nasa national … program na po ang flood mitigation,” he said.Suntay, however, warned that simply completing all existing fragmented projects could prevent the government from concentrating resources on areas where entire flood-control systems could be completed.He cited the San Juan River, which passes through parts of Quezon City, as an example.“Napakaigsi ng San Juan River na dumadaan sa distrito ko or sa dalawang distrito ng Quezon City. And ilan bilyon na ’yung nalagay diyan but, up to now, bungi-bungi pa rin ’yan,” Suntay said.He added that similar fragmented projects could be seen in Bulacan.“Kung hahabulin natin lahat ’yan, baka po wala na tayo dito, wala pa rin tayong matatapos,” he said.“Why not concentrate? Start concentrating on particular areas, ’pag natapos, then we move to other areas?” Suntay added.Dizon said the DPWH was already pursuing a mechanism that could address the problem: multi-year appropriations for unfinished infrastructure projects.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/16/dpwh-conducts-nighttime-road-reblocking-in-quezon-city-0056">DPWH conducts nighttime road reblocking in Quezon City</a></div>“Lahat po ng mga unfinished, whether this is a revetment, a flood control, or road, or a bridge, kailangan po i-MYCA na natin, i-multi-year appropriation,” Dizon said.He said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had agreed to the approach, which would allow continuing projects to receive funding over several years instead of being treated as isolated annual projects.Dizon said the arrangement would give the government a clearer timeline for completing projects, depending on their size and scope.Suntay welcomed the proposed approach, saying the government should ensure that infrastructure spending ultimately produces projects that benefit the public.

Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay urged the DPWH to shift away from fragmented, “tingi-tingi” infrastructure projects, saying incomplete flood-control systems and roadworks fail to serve their intended purpose and could result in wasted public funds.

Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay urged the DPWH to shift away from fragmented, “tingi-tingi” infrastructure projects, saying incomplete flood-control systems and roadworks fail to serve their intended purpose and could result in wasted public funds.

Lawmaker pushes for complete flood control projects, says ‘tingi-tingi’ approach wastes funds

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Lawmaker pushes for complete flood control projects, says ‘tingi-tingi’ approach wastes funds

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 09:37 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Flood Control projects

Jesus Suntay

Budget Hearing

Committee of Appropriations

Vince Dizon

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

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.