DPWH’s Bonoan says flood control projects ‘on track’

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Tuesday said the government's flood control projects are still on track.

At a Palace press briefing, Bonoan was asked about the status of the flood control projects after some senators lamented the unresolved problem of flooding.

Bonoan said the projects to solve the flood crisis are still ongoing.

"Let me put it this way, I can only speak for what we started, actually we have just been in this administration for one year and the projects that we're implementing for flood control projects under the 2023 budget is ongoing, ongoing pa rin 'yung mga projects that we're implementing..." Bonoan said.

"I think they have quoted actually the total amount of about P180 billion, but this is, 'yung amount na 'yan is distributed all throughout the country. They are ongoing... they are on track actually... wala namang... doon kasi sa budget namin [in our budget], we have two years to implement all these projects..." he added.

Bonoan admitted that some of the "small" flood control projects have been delayed but at present, they are ongoing. He mentioned that some of the factors that caused the delay were the weather, the right of way, and the position of the areas.

"I can admit that there are some projects that have been delayed, maliliit lang naman [not that big] ... most of them are ongoing right now," Bonoan said.

The Senate public works committee is set to summon Bonoan and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Romando Artes to explain the unresolved problem of flooding in many areas.

Senate panel chairman Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. had said that the DPWH received a total of P594.62 billion for its flood control projects while MMDA received P6 billion, citing figures from the national budgets from years 2019 to 2023.

Revilla had said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 425 flooding incidents during the onslaught of Typhoon Egay. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News