DPWH chief asks senators to help fund dredging, desilting of rivers

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

During an inquiry by the Senate Committee on Public Works, Bonoan recalled that they were proposing a budget for dredging and desilting operations since 2023, but always failed to be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). (File Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways/Facebook)

MANILA – More funding is needed for the dredging and desilting of principal rivers to boost the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control initiatives all over the country, Secretary Manuel Bonoan told senators on Thursday.

During an inquiry by the Senate Committee on Public Works, Bonoan recalled that they were proposing a budget for dredging and desilting operations since 2023, but always failed to be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“We do not have enough even to maintain the dredging equipment at this time,” Bonoan said.

He added that when they took over in July 2022, he found out that no dredging or desilting operations had been conducted over the past few years.

“This is the reason why yung lahat ng major rivers natin (all of our major rivers) are silted and the river beds have become very shallow to a point that any downpour, mago-overflow po yung riverbanks (the riverbanks will overflow),” he explained.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who chairs the panel, also recalled asking Bonoan to procure new dredging equipment. and urged his colleagues to ensure that it will push through in the coming budget deliberations.

“Yun siguro yung dapat babantayan sa Committee on Appropriations or Finance na bakit nangyari yun na hindi na dapat mangyari sa susunod. Sa bicam siguro yan dapat pag-usapan nang mabuti at ipaglaban niyo din Secretary (Maybe that’s what the Committee on Appropriations or Finance should look into as to why that happened, and it shouldn’t happen again in the future. In bicam, maybe that should be discussed carefully and you should also fight for it, Secretary),” Revilla said.

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva maintained his confidence in Bonoan in leading the DPWH and implementing its projects, especially the flood control initiatives.

“I don’t see anyone who can lead DPWH other than you. We trust you since last year and the day you assumed office and sana huwag niyo po kaming biguin (I hope you will not fail us) Secretary,” Villanueva said.

Several senators called for the inquiry, stressing the fact that the national government spent PHP244.47 billion for 5,500 flood projects since 2022, but seemed irrelevant after the onslaught of Typhoon Carina which submerged Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and parts of Calabarzon.

Bonoan told senators that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already instructed all concerned government agencies that flood control should be done “holistically and in integrated manner.”

“In other words, kelangan po (it needs) everybody will have to dance the same tune in implementing the flood master plans and everything,” he said.

The DPWH chief also shared that President Marcos asked them to integrate water-impounding facilities in their flood control projects.