As the Philippines braces for another typhoon season, the persistent issue of widespread flooding continues to impact thousands of Filipinos annually. Floodwaters inflict damage on homes and properties, devastate agricultural crops, and disrupt businesses and livelihoods, especially within the agriculture sector. These events also led to the paralysis of transportation systems and necessitate school closures, while tragically, flooding continues to claim numerous lives each year.
In response to this ongoing challenge, the government allocates billions of pesos in taxpayer funds each year towards flood management initiatives.However, despite these substantial investments, the problem of flooding remains largely unresolved.
an examination of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) spending on flood control over the years reveals a significant financial commitment. Between 2011 and 2025, the government has earmarked a total of P1.47 trillion for flood control and mitigation programs.
For the year 2025, the DPWH is slated to receive the second-largest budget allocation, amounting to P1.007 trillion. This figure places it just behind the education sector, which encompasses the Department of Education, state universities and colleges, the Commission on Higher education, and the Technical education and Skills Development authority, with a proposed budget of P1.055 trillion.
According to the National Expenditure Program, the DPWH’s initial proposed budget was P900 billion. This amount later increased to P1.034 billion in the bicameral conference committee report.
Sonny Africa, executive director of Ibon Foundation, has raised concerns regarding budget insertions made by lawmakers into the DPWH’s allocation during the bicameral process, suggesting thay are “widely suspected to be more pork barrel projects.”
A 2021 report from the department of Justice indicated that the DPWH and local government units received the highest number of corruption complaints among government agencies.
