Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin has raised the need to restore funding for flood projects in the proposed 7.2 trillion 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

In an online press conference on Monday, Aug. 10, Garin said flood control projects are vital, especially in her district and other areas considered high-risk or “red areas.”

“Alam niyo na-demonize kasi ’yong flood control projects, like ako in my district napaka-importante no’n kasi ang flood control projects sa distrito ko ay actually shoreline protection projects,” she told reporters.

“So sa nakikita ngayon, tumataas eh, umaapaw ‘yong tubig-dagat at ’yong tubig-ilog papunta sa lupa,” Garin went on.

According to the lawmaker, it will be a “double-whammy” if there are no more flood control projects.

“We need to be vigilant, but it does not mean that we will abandon these [flood control projects] because otherwise, malaking dagok ito,” Garin said.

“Mado-double whammy, nagkaroon na nga ng problema sa flood control before, kung ihihinto mo nang tuluyan ‘yong programang iyan, paano naman ’yong good projects, paano naman ’yong mga communities that we need to protect?” she asked.

Garin stressed that safeguards have already been placed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prevent corruption in flood control projects.

“Sa pagkakaalam ko ang ginawa ng DBM, in coordination with DPWH and all the LGUs (local government units), provinces, municipalities, and cities, ay nagkaroon ng maraming requirements before siya pinasok sa NEP. So, ando’n ‘yong actual inspection, ando’n ‘yong actual boundary na itong pondo na ito, gaano ba kahaba ang kanyang ma-co-cover?” she said.

“Gaano ba katatag?  Ano ‘yong program of works, ano ‘yong mga nakasaad doon, gaano siya kalalim at paano siya hindi madadaya?  So ‘yan ang ginawang mga requirements before siya pinasok sa proposed budget or the [NEP] […] sa pagkakaintindi ko eh nando’n ‘yong plano ng blacklisting ng mga contractors na nakitaang gumagawa ng substandard flood control projects,” Garin added.

This year’s national budget contains no funding for flood control projects due to the multibillion-peso flood control controversy.IMT