Senator JV Ejercito has criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over its admission of ghost flood control projects, calling it a blatant theft of public funds.
“Dahil inamin mismo ng DPWH na may ghost flood control projects, ang tawag na diyan ay kleptospirosis. Garapalang pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Hindi lang po pera ang nawawala rito, kundi ang tiwala ng taumbayan,” said Ejercito.
The senator questioned the government’s annual ₱350-billion flood control budget, noting that despite the massive allocation, flood-prone areas such as Central Luzon and Metro Manila continue to suffer from severe flooding.
He urged accountability for those behind the anomalies, including government officials who may have been complicit.
Ejercito stressed the need for a comprehensive masterplan, warning that fragmented, district-based projects such as slope protection and drainage improvements will not address the country’s flooding problem. Instead, he pushed for large-scale solutions like floodways, spillways, impounding areas, and pumping stations.
“Kung hindi nasusunod ang atin pong masterplan, kung pinaghati-hatian ng bawat distrito ang flood control management, ang mangyayari po niyan ay patse-patse po talaga ang ating proyekto,” he warned.
The senator also cited his proposed Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development Act, which lays out a 30-year infrastructure blueprint to guide national and local projects. He said only a unified and strategic approach will ensure that the P350-billion budget delivers real and lasting solutions to the country’s flooding woes.IMT
