Chiz: Senators to question agencies over multi-billion flood control projects

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Friday said senators will question concerned agencies on its budget allocation for flood control projects as several areas were still submerged in water due to Kristine's downpour. 

“I expect that this will be brought up during the budget deliberations of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DSWD, [and the] DND/OCD,” Escudero said in a statement.

His remark came amid the severe flooding brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), which has taken 46 lives.

“Moving forward, however, we will not only exact accountability but also make sure the 2025 budget will provide preventive measures to avoid a recurrence as well as adequate rehabilitation and response in case of a similar calamity in the future,” he said.

According to Escudero, budget deliberations will resume on November 4, 2025.

Billions

Escudero previously said that around P255 billion was allocated for the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva stressed that of the DPWH’s budget, P31.9 billion was allocated for the flood control of the Bicol Region.

“So ito dapat tignan natin mabuti sa budget deliberation kung saan ba talaga napupunta ito. May impact ba talaga itong ginagawang flood control projects and programs ng pamahalaan,” Villanueva said in a Zoom briefing.

(We should look into this during the budget deliberation on where the money is going—whether the flood control projects and programs of the government really have an impact.)

Bicol was one of the hardest hit areas with nine towns still "fully submerged" in flood water, according to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. early Friday. 

The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has submitted its version of the General Appropriations BIll (GAB), which contains the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025, to the Senate on Thursday.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News