Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan said that most of the government’s flood control projects implemented last year will be completed on time, amid mounting criticisms of continued flooding during heavy rains.
The public works chief made the remarks in a Palace press briefing, as he defended the status of the flood control projects after some senators lamented the unresolved problem of flooding despite the department’s huge P180 billion budget.
“The projects to solve the flood crisis are still ongoing. Let me put it this way, I can only speak for what we started, actually, we have just been in this administration for one year and the projects that we’re implementing for flood control projects under the 2023 budget are ongoing,” Bonoan said.
Bonoan admitted that there are some delays in the projects, as he maintained that these are just small projects and that “most of them are ongoing right now.”
He also said that the P180 billion budget is distributed all over the country, reiterating that almost all the projects implemented last year are ongoing and they are on track and expected to be completed as scheduled.
Bonoan acknowledged that there are some delays in the projects that cannot be avoided because of right of way issues, acquisition of areas, and weather disturbances.”
Meanwhile, the DPWH is studying the proposed water impounding system in Candaba, Pampanga, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said was a long-term solution for the flooding problem there.
The DPWH chief agreed with the President that desilting and dredging activity is just a short-term solution as they are looking for a long-lasting solution to flooding problems in Pampanga and Bulacan.