Solon says no P9 billion flood control budget for Bicol

Philippine Coast Guard rescue residents in Sitio Libas, Barangay Maguiron, Guinobatan, Albay on October 23, 2024. (PHOTO COURTESY OF PCG / FILE)

MANILA, Philippines — Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co on Friday said that the Bicol region was not granted aP9 billion fund for flood control projects, instead, the region has one of the smallest budget for flood control and road projects.

 “There’s no truth to the alleged billion-peso appropriations for Bicol flood control. In fact, the region’s funding for national roads and flood control are among the smallest in the country,” Co said in a statement. 

Co’s statement comes in the wake of various posts on social media claiming that the Bicol region was given a budget of P9.4 billion in 2023. The region was among the areas severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami). 

Further, Co said that flood control projects are integrated to attain sustainable water management and food security. 

“Congress, under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, is ensuring that all flood control initiatives are connected to NIA’s [National Irrigation Administration] water management system. This approach ensures that these projects contribute directly to our agricultural needs,” Co added. 

Co likewise  noted that the lower chamber cut down on “unnecessary flood control expenditures” that do not provide long-term benefits to citizens.

 Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday also refuted the circulating claims on Bicol’s alleged P9 billion funding for flood control projects.

The senator, however, said that the Bicol region had a budget for flood control of P31.9 billion in 2023 and P29.4 billion in 2024 or a total of P61.42 billion.

 Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Fri9day reported 13 fatalities due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

It also affected a total of 569,524 families or 2,656,446 individuals, mostly in the Bicol region with 1,860,625.

 Damage to rice and corn farms in Camarines Norte, Masbate, and Camarines Sur covering 512 hectares was pegged at P29.4 million, while damage to infrastructure in Masbate and Catanduanes was pegged at P9.3 million.