By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter
GOVERNMENT flood management and mitigation projects will return to the national budget in 2027 as the Philippines grapples with widespread flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, officials said on Monday.
Public Works Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has submitted its proposed flood control projects to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which is still reviewing the agency’s request.
“With the upcoming submission of the 2027 budget, we will include flood management and flood mitigation projects,” he told a news briefing in Filipino at the Presidential Palace. “We are focusing on various interventions.”
He declined to disclose the proposed allocation, saying the final amount depends on the DBM’s vetting before the 2027 National Expenditure Program is submitted to Congress, scheduled for Tuesday.
“I won’t say anything yet because I have not seen the final version that the DBM will submit,” he said.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando “Don” S. Artes said the DPWH had conducted a pre-feasibility study for a comprehensive drainage master plan covering Metro Manila down to the village level.
He said the proposed budget could include funding to begin the plan, which would serve as a guide for the DPWH, MMDA and local governments in addressing flooding.
Mr. Artes said the master plan is meant to provide a comprehensive framework for flood prevention, although he was not certain whether the funding had been included in the final DPWH proposal.
The government’s renewed focus on flood management comes as severe weather has caused extensive damage and evacuations across the country.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday met with Cabinet officials for a briefing on the effects of the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Administrator Nathaniel T. Servando said western Luzon and Metro Manila posted exceptionally high rainfall.
Baguio City got 1,413 millimeters of rain from Aug. 1 to 9, compared with its average monthly rainfall of 963 millimeters for August.
“Almost one and a half months of rain was poured in just nine days,” Mr. Servando said.
Iba, Zambales recorded 957 millimeters, equivalent to 103% of its typical monthly average of 929 millimeters. The Science Garden in Quezon City recorded 501.6 millimeters, or nearly 90% of its normal August rainfall.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the combined weather disturbances had affected 384,520 families, or about 1.31 million people, across several regions.
OCD Assistant Secretary Laurence E. Mina reported at least 12 deaths, eight missing people and 11 injuries, although the figures remain subject to validation.
Reported causes included landslides, rockslides, falling trees, electrocution and drowning.
The agency also recorded 367 damaged houses, including 27 totally destroyed and 340 partially damaged.
The government has also mobilized relief and emergency supplies. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rexlon “Rex” T. Gatchalian said 54,370 family food packs had been distributed, while P1.61 billion in standby funds and 4.98 million food packs remained available.
“This is the largest stockpile the country has since we started doing this system,” Mr. Gatchalian said, adding that the government is increasing its reserves to ensure supplies are prepositioned before disasters.
The Department of Health, meanwhile, prepositioned P44 million worth of emergency health commodities and response supplies, including doxycycline, chlorine tablets and hygiene kits, in heavily affected provinces.
The DPWH also proposed a P1.5-billion drainage rehabilitation program for the entire stretch of Taft Avenue under the 2027 budget, Mr. Dizon said.
For España Boulevard, the agency plans to build four cross drains starting September using savings, with additional projects proposed for 2027.
“Hopefully, by the next rainy season, we will see further improvements both in Taft and in España,” Mr. Dizon said.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan called for a national flood management plan and a full accounting of flood control spending.
He said the government should disclose project locations, costs, contractors, implementation status and outcomes.
“It is the right of every Filipino to know where every peso allocated for flood control goes,” he said in a statement in mixed English and Filipino. “The results should be clear.” — with Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel