Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson raised alarm over the country’s persistent flooding despite nearly P2 trillion spent on flood control since 2011.

“Isn’t it absurd that the rise of floodwaters in our malas (unfortunate) country is directly proportional to the increase in the annual budget for flood management?” Lacson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He questioned the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) use of the massive funds, citing the lack of tangible results despite spending an average of P350 million a day for 15 years.

“At US$5 million or P285 million per unit, we could have bought a Cutter Suction Dredger every day, with the remaining P65 million used for operating expenses and maintenance,” Lacson said, referring to the vessels used to clear waterways of silt and debris.

His comments came after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported at least 25 deaths, eight missing persons, and over 3.85 million individuals affected by recent typhoons “Crising,” “Dante” and “Emong,” along with the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Lacson said the human toll underscores the unacceptable failure of flood mitigation efforts.

He also cited questionable budget allocations in the proposed 2025 national budget.

A barangay in Oriental Mindoro was allotted P1.9 billion, while a small town in the same province received P10 billion for flood control—figures he called inequitable and distorted.

Lacson, known for his fiscal watchdog role in the Senate, vowed to scrutinize the DPWH’s flood control budget during budget hearings.

“I will grill the concerned officials on how these huge sums were allocated and what they have accomplished,” he said.

The senator urged transparency and accountability in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects, especially those tied to disaster risk reduction.

“Lives are at stake,” Lacson warned. “We deserve better than floods and wasted funds.”