MANILA, Philippines — With the budget season in full swing, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said that the upcoming Senate budget hearings should serve as a venue to demand answers and accountability from government agencies regarding substandard and ghost flood-control projects.
In a radio interview, Pangilinan said that the deliberations on the proposed national budget provide Congress an opportunity to scrutinize how public funds were allocated and spent, including billions of pesos intended for flood control and other infrastructure projects.
"We will also talk to the congressmen because this concerns the budget. It’s already budget hearing time—it’s budget season. They should be held accountable, explain themselves, and tell us what the solution is to this problem. They can count on us," he said.
The senator made these statements amid ongoing flooding in Luzon, particularly in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4, because of the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and several typhoons.
Pangilinan, in particular, is extending help to his father’s home province of Pampanga, which is now under a State of Calamity following the widespread damage caused by habagat.
More than 300 barangay across 16 of its localities were submerged in floodwater, a report by the Office of the Civil Defense said a week ago.
"Right now, we are in touch with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) because Governor Nanay (Lilia Pineda) announced that the national government would provide assistance for Sabo Dam," Pangilinan said.
"So, we are in touch with the NIA (National Irrigation Administration) and (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon. They will be appearing before the budget committee. We will first look into what they are doing here regarding the commitments they made to help Pampanga, particularly the Sabo Dam, which has been described as a strategic project, as well as other long-term solutions," he added.
