Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced that senators will closely scrutinize the multi-billion peso allocation for flood control projects amid significant flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. With many areas still inundated, Escudero said the Senate will question the budgets of key agencies like DPWH, DENR, DILG, DSWD, and OCD during budget deliberations.
Escudero pointed to the urgency of ensuring that the 2025 budget not only holds agencies accountable but also prioritizes preventive flood control, rehabilitation, and response measures. The DPWH currently manages a P255-billion allocation for flood control from the 2024 budget, with P31.9 billion specifically allocated to the flood-prone Bicol Region, one of the hardest-hit areas by the recent storm.
Upcoming Deliberations
The Senate’s budget discussions will resume on November 4, 2025, allowing senators to investigate the impact and efficacy of ongoing flood control projects, with calls to make government spending more transparent and effective.