Farmers’ group: What happened to flood control budget?

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) yesterday said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should explain what happened to the multibillion-peso budget for flood control amid the flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

“The agency has P255 billion worth of flood control projects for this year but most of Metro Manila cities and nearby Luzon provinces are now deep in flood,” KMP national chairperson Danilo Ramos said.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. is poised to investigate the widespread flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas and demand an explanation from DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Ramos said that in 2023, the DPWH had a daily budget of P1.079 billion for flood management.

“What happened to the multibillion budget for draining water and dredging rivers?” he said.

Ramos said that based on the monitoring of KMP, thousands are already affected by heavy flooding due to nonstop torrential rains in Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas and several parts of Cagayan and Bicol regions.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that her department is working with DPWH and the National Irrigation Administration to be able to design multiple-use infrastructure projects to control floods.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized police officers and mobility assets for search and rescue operations in areas affected by Typhoon Carina.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday ordered the deployment of all available personnel and resources to reinforce local government units in regions that were hit by heavy rains, floods and landslides.

Among these are vehicles used to transport stranded commuters in Metro Manila. Policemen also used rescue boats to reach flooded communities.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is pressing anew the need to construct dedicated evacuation centers so as not to disrupt students’ learning continuity during typhoon season.

Gatchalian pointed out that during calamities, the common practice is to use public schools as evacuation centers, which disrupts learning continuity.

Thousands of residents in Metro Manila were evacuated from their homes due to floods and heavy rains brought by Typhoon Carina yesterday. – Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe