Minority bloc urges COA audit of DPWH flood projects

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should keep its hands off the probe into alleged corruption in the country’s flood control projects and allow the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct an independent review, according to House minority bloc leaders on Thursday.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co both asserted that the DPWH lacks the credibility to lead an internal investigation, especially as it stands accused of being deeply involved in the very anomalies under scrutiny.

“The DPWH cannot be trusted to investigate itself when it is neck-deep in these anomalies. This is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse,” Tinio said.

“DPWH is part of the problem. How can they audit their own failures? It would be a whitewash, pure and simple,” Co added.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has pledged to follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to submit a list of all flood control projects from the past three years, including their status and completion details.

The President issued the order during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, following weeks of severe flooding across Metro Manila and nearby provinces brought on by consecutive typhoons and the southwest monsoon. Despite the President’s claim last year that over 5,500 flood control projects had been completed, the recent devastation raised public suspicion of widespread corruption.

In the 2025 national budget, the DPWH received P1.007 trillion — the second-largest allocation after the education sector’s P1.055 trillion. However, the department was initially set to receive the largest share until Marcos vetoed P16.7 billion worth of flood control line items, citing inconsistencies with the administration’s priority programs.

The vetoed projects included those in Region III (P7 billion), Region II (P3.2 billion), Region V (P2.73 billion), Metro Manila (P1.75 billion), and Region I (P1.1 billion), all part of a larger P194 billion worth of total budget vetoes.

President Marcos also warned that public officials, including lawmakers, found colluding with contractors in kickback schemes will be held accountable.

Bonoan said the DPWH is currently compiling the required list of projects and submitting all necessary documentation.

Still, Reps. Tinio and Co insisted that the COA is the only body equipped and independent enough to conduct a credible audit. They are calling on fellow lawmakers to support a resolution directing COA to launch a full audit of DPWH flood control projects dating back to 2016.

“The culture of impunity in the DPWH shall not continue. The people deserve answers, and only an independent body like COA can provide them,” the lawmakers emphasized.

Tinio and Co cited past audit reports that flagged inefficiencies in DPWH operations. A 2023 audit showed that the agency failed to implement 3,047 locally funded projects worth P131.6 billion due to poor planning, engineering, supervision, and monitoring — resulting in delays or outright non-implementation.