ICI flags P1.7T flood control spending, urges audit of national master plan

ICI flags P1.7T flood control spending, urges audit of national master plan | Daily Tribune

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has called for a full audit of the government’s flood control expenditures, warning that the absence of a unified national master plan has led to inefficiency, waste, and the misuse of public funds.

ICI Commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson said that if the government had followed the original flood control master plan covering the country’s 18 major river basins, the total cost from 2016 to 2025 could have been reduced to P800 to P900 billion, nearly half of the P1.7 trillion already allocated.

“This was part of the flood control master plan for the 18 major river basins. What upsets me is that the program is there,” Singson said in a mix of Filipino and English. “If you look at the budget of DPWH just on flood control, from 2016 to 2025, P1.7 trillion on flood control.”

“Never mind the convergence and all other programs, just on flood control—and the flood control master plan for the 18 major rivers would have cost only P800 to P900 billion, just half of it, if it was made,” he added.

The ICI, formed to investigate infrastructure irregularities and assess systemic weaknesses in project implementation, said it continues to work closely with the Office of the Ombudsman in reviewing questionable projects nationwide.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed that a separate task force will be formed to look into flood control projects in Las Piñas, as part of the broader ICI investigation into how public funds were utilized in flood management initiatives.

According to Remulla, the probe will determine how the multi-billion peso river drive and flood control projects along the Zapote River were constructed and whether public or private funds were used.

“You saw the river wall. Ask who spent on these projects—government or them? It’s as simple as that,” Remulla said.

The Ombudsman noted that cooperation from all involved parties will be mandatory. “I think they need to cooperate. It’s not a matter of them wanting to, but they have to,” he added.

Both the ICI and the Ombudsman emphasized that the national flood control program must be grounded on technical planning, transparency, and accountability to prevent further misuse of funds and ensure projects truly serve the public.