DPWH Admits Lack of Comprehensive Flood Control Master Plan

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MANILA, Philippines — Despite the substantial funds allocated over the years, the Philippines still lacks a comprehensive flood control master plan, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed during a Senate hearing on Thursday.


Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan clarified that the 5,500 completed flood control projects, which President Marcos highlighted in his third State of the Nation Address, were primarily immediate relief efforts. "These are urgent engineering interventions across the country that are not part of an integrated master plan. They are stand-alone projects designed to provide immediate protection to low-lying areas," Bonoan explained.


During the Senate committee on public works session chaired by Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., Bonoan faced tough questions about the persistent flooding issues, including the recent widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon caused by Supertyphoon “Carina” (international name: Gaemi).


Limited Scope of Current Projects


Bonoan admitted that the 5,500 projects were small-scale and not part of a cohesive strategy. He noted that the country has 421 major rivers, with river basins in 18 of them. While there are master plans for these 18 major river basins, many are still being updated to account for climate change and other factors.


Senatorial Concerns


Sen. Imee Marcos questioned how the DPWH selects projects without a master plan. "If there is no master plan, how do you choose the projects? Are there guidelines each time you request billions of pesos?" she asked.


Bonoan mentioned that large, foreign-assisted flood control projects have no allocated budget and are listed under unprogrammed funds in the 2024 General Appropriations Act. This led to further concerns about the effectiveness of the current approach. "It’s upsetting that there’s no budget for larger flood control projects, meaning Filipinos can only expect immediate relief from smaller initiatives," Marcos added.


Future Plans and Challenges


Sen. Joel Villanueva presented a video from a previous Senate hearing where Bonoan indicated that the construction of the Central Luzon floodway project might begin in 2024. However, during the latest hearing, Bonoan admitted that the project was still in the planning stages. Villanueva pointed out that over P1.14 trillion has been spent on flood control projects in the past decade, with P23 billion allocated for a DPWH feasibility study this year alone.


Call for Effective Solutions


Villanueva emphasized the need for significant improvements in flood control measures. "With the amount allocated for flood control projects, the DPWH should ensure these are 'game changers' in resolving our flooding problems," he stated.


Additionally, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cited limited funds and outdated drainage systems as major factors contributing to the recent flooding in Metro Manila.

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