MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered tighter screening for flood control projects nationwide, directing that no initiative will be approved unless it passes stringent requirements and earns the formal clearance of local government units (LGUs).
Speaking at an aid distribution event in Gonzaga, Cagayan, Marcos said his administration is determined to stop substandard and irregular infrastructure practices by reinstating safeguards that were removed in recent years.
“At meron naman tayong i-approve na flood control project basta’t nakita natin eh maayos — maayos ang proposal, maayos ang program of work, maayos ang completion, may acceptance ng local government. That’s the new factor that we put in,” the President stressed.
He emphasized that LGU participation is crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability.
“Ang problema, tinanggal ‘yun noong nakaraang ilang taon. I don’t know what year they removed that. Pero nagulat ako kasi napaka-importante iyan na meron kang clearance sa barangay chairman, may clearance ka sa mayor, may clearance ka sa probinsya. Dahil ‘yun ang paraan namin sa local government para tiyakin na ‘yung mga project ay maganda ang pagkagawa at tama at hindi naman nagmahal ng masyado,” Marcos said.
“Mula ngayon ay ibabalik natin ang proseso ng pag-accept ng local government executives,” he added.
The President also disclosed that over ₱300 billion remains available for flood control projects until next year. “So, hindi pa nauubos ‘yun. So, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang magiging flood control projects hanggang sa susunod na taon,” he assured.
However, he announced that ₱255.5 billion originally allocated for flood control in 2026 will be realigned to priority programs of other government agencies.
“Kung hindi po namin ginawa iyan, iyang P255.5 billion na iyan, kung saan-saan na napupunta,” Marcos pointed out./PN
