No new flood control projects in 2027 as Senate prioritizes unfinished works

The government is expected to hold off on funding new flood control projects in 2027, with the Senate instead pushing to complete unfinished works amid growing scrutiny over the country’s flood-control program.

Senate Finance Committee Chair JV Ejercito said funding would remain available for incomplete flood control projects, but new proposals would not be included in the 2027 national budget.

Ejercito said the focus should be on addressing existing gaps and completing projects that have already been started, particularly as severe flooding continues to affect communities during the southwest monsoon.

The proposed infrastructure budget for 2027 includes PHP619.04 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways, accounting for a significant portion of the government’s infrastructure spending.

The senator has also pushed for a master plan for national infrastructure development to improve coordination and ensure continuity in major projects, including flood-control initiatives.

The move comes amid investigations into alleged ghost and substandard flood-control projects, raising questions over the allocation and implementation of billions of pesos in public funds.

While Ejercito stressed that flood-control infrastructure remains necessary, he said projects must be properly planned, completed and protected from corruption.

The Senate’s approach shifts the focus from building more projects to finishing what is already underway, as lawmakers seek stronger oversight of flood-control spending.

With floods continuing to expose gaps in the country’s defenses, the government is choosing to finish the unfinished before building anew.