A party-list legislator has renewed his call for an immediate investigation into alleged irregularities involving billions of pesos worth of flood control projects in Davao City following severe flooding that submerged several communities this week.
The Office of the Ombudsman was urged to look into what was described as questionable flood control spending along the Davao and Matina River systems, saying the latest flooding exposed the failure of projects supposedly meant to protect residents.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio also filed House Resolution No. 464 seeking a congressional inquiry into the flooding situation in Davao City.
Heavy rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and easterlies triggered flooding in areas such as Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing, Bunawan, and other low-lying communities, disrupting classes, work, transportation, and livelihoods.
“What we are seeing in Davao City today is the human cost of ‘flood control’ that exists only on paper or is grossly shortchanged in implementation,” the lawmaker said.
“If billions were truly spent to protect communities along the Davao and Matina River systems, people should not be wading through waist-deep floodwaters year after year,” he added.
He said ACT Teachers conducted an independent review of 121 flood control projects implemented from 2019 to 2022 and flagged at least 80 contracts worth P4.44 billion due to alleged anomalies.
Among the irregularities cited were overlapping contracts, possible double funding, changes in project locations, shortened project lengths despite near-full payments, contracts lacking verifiable specifications, items allegedly without clear authorization under the General Appropriations Act, and projects that remain unfinished for long periods.
“Hindi na ito simpleng masamang panahon. Malinaw itong ebidensya ng bulok at kuwestiyonableng flood control projects sa lungsod,” Tinio said.
“Kapag bilyon-bilyon ang inilaan pero paulit-ulit ang pagbaha at pagkasira ng kabuhayan, may dapat managot,” he added.
The congressman stressed that the latest flooding strengthens the need for immediate physical inspection and verification of the projects.
“We cannot allow a cycle where funds are repeatedly allocated, contracts are repeatedly awarded, and communities are repeatedly flooded,” he said.
He also revealed that he had already submitted a letter to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla together with supporting documents and House actions urging an investigation into the Davao flood control projects.
According to him, House Resolution No. 464 and related documents had earlier been submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure last December but allegedly received no action.
“Enough delays. The Ombudsman must move immediately — inspect the sites, audit the contracts, trace the payments, and file the appropriate cases,” he said.
“Every rainy season that passes without accountability is a green light for another round of corruption and negligence,” he added.
Tinio insisted that those responsible for the alleged anomalies must be held accountable.
“Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot. Hindi puwedeng ang taumbayan ang laging binabaha habang ang mga kontratista at opisyal ang laging nakikinabang,” he said.