SONA: PBBM orders audit on all flood control projects

To say that last week's flooding affected countless Filipinos is an understatement. From homes being swept away or being submerged in water to landslides blocking roads, as well as floods damaging vehicles, some of the country's flood control projects were deemed ineffective in keeping the water at bay.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took notice of this and demanded a thorough review of the said projects. During the President's 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) will submit to him a list of all flood control projects.

“DPWH will submit to me a list of all flood control projects from every region that were started or completed in the last three years,” said Marcos.

In addition, the DPWH Regional Project Monitoring Committee will examine the list of flood control projects and give a report on those that have been failures, left unfinished, and those that have been alleged to be ghost projects. Marcos then reiterated that the list will be published for all to see.

“We will publish this list. There will be an audit and performance check regarding the projects,” added Marcos.

On top of that, President Marcos announced that for the 2026 national budget, he will return any proposed General Appropriations bill that will not be aligned with the national expenditure program.

“For the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed General Appropriations bill that is not fully aligned with the national expenditure program. I am willing to do this even with a reenacted budget,” declared Marcos.

With last week's floods essentially submerging parts of Luzon and Metro Manila in deep water, the Chief Executive declared that someone must be held accountable. While this is all well and good, we're also hoping the new flood control projects will be subjected to stricter scrutiny before and after the projects are completed.