Lacson questions P1.9-Trillion flood control spending as monsoon rains flood Metro Manila

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 18, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon, or habagat, triggered flooding in several parts of the country in recent days, including low-lying areas of Metro Manila. Photos and reports of flooded streets and communities circulated as the weather system continued to affect the region into Monday.

Amid the flooding, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson raised questions about the effectiveness of the government’s flood-control spending, citing figures showing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received a combined P1.939 trillion for its flood management program between 2011 and 2025.

In a post on social media platform X, Lacson shared a photo of a flooded area alongside a chart breaking down the annual allocations under the General Appropriations Act. “Flood control vs uncontrolled flood: PhP1.939 trillion funded the DPWH flood control management program under three presidents from 2011-2025 and the result is uncontrolled flood,” Lacson wrote.

According to the chart Lacson posted, DPWH’s flood management budget rose from P11.3 billion in 2011 to P139 billion in 2018, then to P145.6 billion in 2022. The allocation then jumped substantially in the years that followed, reaching P287 billion in 2023, P346.8 billion in 2024, and P372.8 billion in 2025. The chart’s figures covered flood management funding, local programs, foreign-assisted projects, the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program, and the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP). Lacson noted that the 2025 figure excludes feasibility studies.

The senator did not specify which administrations or officials he holds responsible for the outcomes reflected in the spending data.

Lacson’s post adds to continuing public scrutiny of the government’s flood-control projects. DPWH has separately confirmed the existence of so-called “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan province, raising questions about whether allocated funds have translated into functioning infrastructure.

The recurring flooding despite the scale of government spending has kept pressure on DPWH and other agencies to account for how flood-control funds have been used over the past 15 years. DPWH has not yet issued a public response to Lacson’s post, and no timeline has been announced for a government audit or review in response to his statement.