Audit of Bulacan flood control projects ordered
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered a fraud audit of flood control projects in Bulacan province, considered a key step in the national government’s efforts to seek accountability for failed flood protection projects across the country.
COA Chair Gamaliel Cordoba ordered the audit in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to investigate alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control program amid persistent flooding in many parts of the country during this monsoon season, causing major disruptions and displacement.
“Given the critical issues raised by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. regarding the implementation of these projects, particularly in the Province of Bulacan, a fraud audit is an immediate and unequivocal necessity,” COA’s memo issued on August 12 stated.
The order covers flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW) in the flood-prone province, where the government had poured P44 billion in funds to mitigate flooding — accounting for the highest chunk of funding in all of Region 3 at 45%.
Central Luzon, which suffers from worsening perennial flooding, ranks first among all Philippine regions in flood control funding, as it received P98 billion between July 1, 2022 and May 30, 2025 or 18% of the total P548 billion.
Cordoba’s order, addressed to all supervising auditors and audit team leaders at DPWH District Engineering Offices in Region 3, called for the immediate submission of “all relevant documents in your custody necessary for the conduct of the fraud audit.”
It also ordered the audit officials to “ensure your availability to assist the fraud audit teams at any time during the audit.”
Just recently, the president launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, where the public may report suspected anomalies in flood control projects.
In a visit this week in Calumpit, Bulacan, Marcos saw for himself a questionable river protection project that had been declared finished in official records but was still visibly incomplete.
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