Philippines – If you’re an OFW who worries every time typhoon season hits back home, here’s news worth following. The government has set aside P107.4 billion for flood control projects under the proposed 2027 national budget. The money is meant to keep ongoing works going and to maintain the flood systems we already have.
According to report, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shared the details as the proposed budget heads to Congress for review.
Why the government won’t stop the projects
DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said stopping half-finished flood control projects would only cause bigger problems. Leaving them idle, he explained, could make things worse for the communities depending on them. He also pointed out that flood control isn’t a one-time build — many of these structures need regular upkeep to keep working.
Here’s where a big chunk of the money goes:
- P19.6 billion in capital outlay for ongoing foreign-assisted flood control projects
- P3.41 billion under the MMDA flood control program, for running and maintaining existing structures, pumping stations, and related facilities
Stricter checks to avoid “GHOST” projects
We’ve all seen the headlines about questionable flood control spending, kababayan. This time, the DBM says proposals went through tighter vetting before reaching Congress.
To make projects real and traceable, officials required:
- Clearly identified and tagged project locations
- Actual programs of work submitted before budget approval
De Leon said the goal is simple — no more “ghost” flood control projects that exist only on paper.
How they plan to track the money
The government is leaning on technology to keep things transparent:
- COMPASS system — lets the public follow fund releases
- DPWH transparency portal — monitors actual project implementation
- Project TIMe — uses satellite data to check if reported projects truly exist on the ground
That last one matters because it doesn’t rely only on paperwork from agencies.
Congress isn’t done reviewing yet
House Appropriations Committee Chair Mika Suansing said lawmakers will do another round of scrutiny before the budget is finalized. They’ll check whether each project is really needed and ready to build.
She also mentioned Project NOAH, whose flood-risk maps can help lawmakers spot which areas genuinely need flood control — so funds land where they’ll actually help.
The proposed 2027 budget still faces congressional deliberations before final approval.