DBM: Sorsogon 7th in terms of flood control budget

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday said Sorsogon ranks seventh among provinces with budgeted flood control projects.

The DBM released figures to debunk allegations that Sorsogon, where the in-laws of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno are elected officials, was being favored by the agency.

Figures from the DBM and the Department of Public Works and Highways showed that Sorsogon has an allocation of P2.67 billion, behind Cavite, Pampanga and Cebu.

Albay had the largest allocation under the Flood Mitigation Structures and Drainage Systems Program of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2018 with P4.03 billion.

Bulacan ranked second with P3.65 billion, followed by Tarlac with P3.39 billion.

Under the Flood Mitigation Facilities within Major and Principal Rivers Program of 2018, data from the budget department revealed that the province of Pangasinan had the largest allocation with P2.14 billion, followed by Bulacan (P1.50 billion) and Nueva Ecija (P1.19 billion).

Sorsogon had a much smaller allocation of P377 million.

“Flood Mitigation Structures and Drainage Systems program ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of flood control facilities such as dikes, dam floodways, pumping stations, among others in all flood prone areas across the country,” the DBM said.

It added that “the construction and rehabilitation of flood mitigation facilities and structures to alleviate flooding in major river basins and principal rivers falls under the Flood Mitigation Facilities within Major and Principal Rivers program.”

These allocations, DBM said “serve to bolster the resources of the Department of Public Works and Highways to curb the impact of stronger typhoons on the country brought about by climate change.”

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya linked Diokno to multi-billion peso billion worth budget insertions to favor his in-laws and selected contractors. /gsg