Lacson: Massive Corruption Undermined ₱2-T Flood Control Budget

The potential loss of up to ₱1 trillion in flood control funds, as alleged by Senator Panfilo Lacson regarding the DPWH, raises critical questions about accountability and the vulnerability of communities to devastating floods. The urgency for transparency is paramount.

Lacson: Massive Corruption Undermined ₱2-T Flood Control Budget

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com  l July 28, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Panfilo Lacson has ignited a firestorm of controversy, alleging that rampant corruption may have devoured as much as half of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) staggering ₱2 trillion flood control budget.

The senator’s claim has raised serious questions about the efficacy of the government’s flood mitigation strategies and the integrity of public spending.

Speaking in a radio interview on Sunday (July 27, 2025), Lacson called for a rigorous reassessment of the nation’s approach to flood preparedness, planning, and execution.

He argued that the frequent attribution of recurring flooding to climate change is only a smokescreen, masking deeper, systemic failures within the DPWH.

“We must subject our processes to unrelenting scrutiny to fortify our flood management strategies,” Lacson said. 

“The prospect that upwards of ₱1 trillion could have been misappropriated from the ₱2 trillion allocation is profoundly disheartening.”

The senator underscored the paradoxical nature of the situation: escalating financial investments failing to translate into tangible improvements in flood control.

“Shouldn’t we be witnessing a demonstrable decrease in flood levels given the magnitude of these investments?” he asked.

“The disconcerting correlation between burgeoning funds and escalating floodwaters points to a fundamental flaw – be it in management, planning, or the overarching policy framework,” he stressed.

Lacson highlighted the persistent flooding crisis despite the DPWH’s substantial budgetary allocations over the past 15 years.

He expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would address the critical issue, alongside concerns about peace and order, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled today, Monday, July 28, 2025.

His accusations are likely to trigger intense scrutiny of the DPWH and its flood control projects, demanding a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the alleged corruption.