PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered an in-depth investigation into irregularities in flood control projects across the country, following the recent massive floods that submerged communities during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon (habagat) and a series of typhoons.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 28, 2025, Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a list of all flood control projects in each region that were initiated or completed over the past three years.
“Kamakailan lamang, nag-inspeksyon ako sa naging epekto ng habagat, Bagyong Crising, Dante at Emong. Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto para sa flood control ang palpak at gumuho at ‘yung iba guni-guni lang,” Marcos said.
(Just recently, I inspected the damage caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong. I saw firsthand that many flood control projects were poorly built and collapsed, and some were nothing more than figments of imagination.)
In the latest situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said over 6.5 individuals or more than 1.8 families were affected by the effects of the series of weather disturbances over the past week.
Many of them lost their homes due to flooding and landslides.
At least 31 individuals were reported dead, while seven remained missing, following the recent calamities. Most of the fatalities were due to drowning or falling debris.
Marcos said it is undeniable that some individuals profited from flood control projects for personal gain.
“Wag na tayo magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto, mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP (standard operating procedure), for the boys. Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng taumbayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino,” Marcos said.
(Let’s stop pretending. The public knows full well that some people are making money off government projects — through kickbacks, fake initiatives, last-minute errata, SOPs [so-called “standard operating procedures”], and “for the boys” deals. To those conspiring to siphon off public funds and steal the future of our people — have some shame before your fellow Filipinos.)
“Mahiya sa mga kabahayan, naanod at nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo, lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo nung binulsa n’yo lang ang pera,” he added.
(Shame on you — to the families whose homes were swept away or submerged by floods. Shame on you, especially for what you’ve done to our children, who will inherit the debts you incurred while you pocketed the people's money.)
Marcos also ordered the Regional Project Monitoring Committee to review the list of flood control projects and submit a report, particularly on those that failed, remain unfinished, or are suspected to be ghost projects.
He said he will make the DPWH-submitted list public for scrutiny.
“Kaya ang publiko na saksi sa mga proyektong ito ay malayang suriin ang listahan at magbahagi ng kanilang nalalaman para makatulong sa ating imbestigasyon (That’s why the public, as witnesses to these projects, is free to examine the list and share any information they have to help with the investigation). At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review regarding these projects to check and make sure and to know how your money was spent,” said Marcos.
“Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang lahat ng mga lalabas na may sala sa imbestigasyon, pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa. Kailangan malaman ng taong bayan ang buong katotohanan, kailangan may managot sa matinding pinsala at katiwalian,” he added.
(In the coming months, all those found guilty in the investigation, including their contractor accomplices across the country, will face charges. The public deserves to know the whole truth, and those responsible for the widespread damage and corruption must be held accountable.)
According to DPWH data, the government allocated P1.47 trillion for flood control and mitigation programs from 2011 to 2025.
For 2025, the DPWH received P1.007 trillion budget allocation.
Of which, P254.29 billion was allocated for the flood management program, significantly higher than the P42.2 billion allocated for flood mitigation projects in 2015 and the P244.5 billion in 2024.
Based on the National Expenditure Program, the DPWH’s proposed budget was P900 billion.
However, following the bicameral process, the DPWH budget for fiscal year 2025 ballooned to P1.034 billion.
The 2025 national budget drew criticism over alleged “pork barrel-like insertions” and discrepancies, particularly blank sections in the Department of Agriculture’s budget and unprogrammed appropriations amounting to billions of pesos.
Marcos said that for the 2026 national budget, he will ensure the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“Therefore, for the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed GAA that is not fully aligned with the national expenditures program, and further I am willing to do this even if we end up having a reenacted budget,” Marcos said.
“Hindi ko aaprubahan ang kahit anong budget na hindi alinsunod sa plano ng gobyerno para sa sambayanang Pilipino,” he added.
(I will not approve any budget that does not align with the government’s plan for the Filipino people.)
Earlier, Marcos approved the proposed P6.7 trillion national budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which is 7.4 percent higher than the P6.326 trillion budget set in FY 2025 and is equivalent to 22 percent of the gross domestic product. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)