JV flags flood funds sans master plan
Ejercito said senators would scrutinize proposed flood control projects and amend or reject those deemed unnecessary or irregular.
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Ejercito said senators would scrutinize proposed flood control projects and amend or reject those deemed unnecessary or irregular.
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The lack of a long-term infrastructure master plan has raised concerns about renewed corruption as the government restores P107.4 billion for flood control projects in the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 budget.
Senator JV Ejercito, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, called for a binding master plan and integrated infrastructure roadmap, saying the absence of long-term planning could allow a repeat of the flood control scandal.
“Aside from improving and catching up on our infrastructure, it will also prevent corruption like what happened with the flood control scandal, where proponents simply lobbied for projects even though they weren’t in the master plan or weren’t actually needed, and everyone knew they were just schemes to make money,” he said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has a proposed P643.95-billion budget for 2027, with P107.4 billion earmarked for flood control.
The DPWH received no locally funded flood control allocation in the 2026 budget after investigations uncovered alleged ghost and substandard projects involving lawmakers, agency officials and contractors.
Ejercito said removing flood control funds “made things worse,” citing widespread flooding during recent habagat rains. He said the projects themselves were not the problem, but corruption arising from collusion between officials and contractors.
30 or 50?
He pointed out that a long-term master plan could prevent “patchwork” projects driven by political or personal interests.
Senate President Win Gatchalian has proposed a 30-year infrastructure master plan, while Ejercito favors a 50-year plan.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon told lawmakers last week that the agency has yet to develop a consolidated national flood mitigation plan.
Ejercito said senators would scrutinize proposed flood control projects and amend or reject those deemed unnecessary or irregular.
“Not all insertions or amendments are bad … as long as you do it in open plenary,” he said, adding that last-minute bicameral insertions would be prohibited.
The Senate also plans to livestream bicameral budget proceedings as part of efforts to prevent hidden insertions and budget manipulation.
