Escudero wants to cut P250.8B DPWH flood control funds

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing to cut the P250.8-billion funds allocated for flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed P881.3-billion budget for next year.

Escudero said the flood control project allocation – one-third of the entire DPWH budget – should be transferred to other sectors in need.

He said his call for the budget cut is justified as the flood control master plan, which will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will be launched next year.

“Mas praktikal at makabubuti na tapyasan na muna ang pondong ilalaan para flood control at ibuhos ito sa mga sektor ng edukasyon, kalusugan, at produksyon ng pagkain habang hinihintay natin ang ADB-funded flood control master plan,” Escudero said.

[Translation: It would be more practical to slash the fund for flood control and pour it to the sectors of education, health, and food production while we are waiting for the ADB-funded flood control master plan.]

“The development impact of the budget has been clearly diluted by this irrational bias for flood control. If budgeting is the smart application of scarce resources to where they can make the greatest good for the greatest number of people, then why are we allowing a program that creates the least impact corner much of the funds?” he asked.

Escudero noted that the allocation for flood control is way higher than the P13 billion allotted for new classrooms and the P52 billion for bridges.

The legislator asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to review the DPWH budget and lower the allocation for flood control, limiting it flood-prone areas.

“Ang pagbabawas ng pondo sa DPWH ay pagbabawas din ng posibilidad ng korapsyon,” the lawmaker added.

[Translation: Reducing the DPWH budget is also reducing the possibility of corruption.]

The party leaders in the House of Representatives called for the return of the proposed 2026 national budget to the DBM to address issues including the allocation of flood control projects. The DBM and DPWH committed to revise the proposal.

Amid the flood control scandal, Escudero was linked to Centerways Construction and Development President Lawrence Lubiano, who gave him P30 million for his 2022 senatorial campaign. The Senate president admitted it but denied any involvement in the business operations of Centerways.

Centerways was among the top 15 contractors that bagged most flood control projects across the country.