Senator Francis Pangilinan has warned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that he will block the agency’s 2027 budget unless it presents a clear, actionable master plan backed by sufficient funds to resolve persistent flooding in Pampanga.
Pangilinan voiced the threat on Friday, September 11, during a visit to the flood-stricken province alongside fellow Senator Lito Lapid, where they led DSWD relief operations in Santo Tomas and San Luis to assist residents who have been dealing with inundated communities for over five weeks.
Addressing the urgency of long-term solutions during the relief drive, Pangilinan stressed that temporary assistance is not enough to tackle the crisis at its root.
“Pero alam natin ano ba ang mas mahalagang solusyon sa usapin nung pagbabaha? Kaya next week, may budget hearing na sa Senado. Haharap samin ang DPWH,” he shared.
“Hihilingin natin ang plano ng DPWH at ilalaban natin yung dagdag na budget at kapag hindi nila sinagot yung ating tanong na anong gagawin natin sa Pampanga, ano ang proyekto ninyo sa flood control, magkano ang budget na ilalaan ninyo, kapag hindi tayo nakuntento, hindi natin ipapasa ang budget nila,” he added.
Both lawmakers committed to using the Senate’s power of the purse during the upcoming review of the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget to force transparency and demand accountability over infrastructure spending—particularly following widespread public outrage over low-quality and non-existent “ghost” flood mitigation projects nationwide.
Offering reassurance to affected locals, Pangilinan underlined the importance of unity in overcoming disaster.
“Narito lang po tayo at wag po kayo mag-alala. Mayroong mga Senador kayong kaagapay at kasama habang humaharap tayo sa mga pagsubok. Ang natutunan ko sa mga krisis, pagsubok, kaya natin lampasan ang anumang krisis basta nagtutulungan po tayo,” he said.
Pangilinan continues to advocate for a single, science-based national flood-control policy to replace fragmented public works efforts with a unified strategy across vulnerable provinces.