MMDA’s P7B budget cut may be due to flood control projects — Artes

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

MANILA, Philippines — Corruption allegations surrounding the government’s flood mitigation projects might have affected some of the programs of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

At a Senate hearing on Thursday, Sen. JV Ejercito noted the “unfunded items” under the MMDA’s P5.8 billion budget proposal for 2026.

“MMDA submitted a total proposal of P13.576 billion, but only P5.884 billion was recommended by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) in the 2026 National Expenditure Program, representing a reduction of P7.692B or 56.66 percent,” Ejercito, who was presiding over the meeting, said.

Some of these unfunded projects, according to Ejercito, include a P300 million rehabilitation improvement along Manggahan floodwater channel (Phase 2), and another P300 million for the rehabilitation improvement along the lower Marikina River (Phase 20).

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Ejercito asked then why the DBM did not fund those projects.

“Maybe because these are connected to flood control projects, your honor,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes answered.

“As we all know, people are somewhat allergic to flood control projects — even the DBM and the national government. That’s why we did not pursue it,” he added in Filipino.

The alleged collusion of some politicians, government officials and private contractors to defraud government of multi-billion pesos has prompted the scrapping of the P250 billion budget for flood control projects for 2026 under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

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“But again, projects like these have been a big help, especially here in Marikina, and in the faster drainage of floodwaters from our streets,” Artes went on, still referring to the unfunded projects of his agency.

Still, MMDA retains at least P1 billion budget for flood control projects or P32 million per city, as noted by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on finance.

“We have to remember that all of DPWH’s flood control projects were removed. Right now, the MMDA has over ₱1 billion for flood control projects. Maybe it’s not as the same as DPWH but it’s the same philosophy,” Gatchalian pointed out.

Artes assured the senator that the decision and determination of these projects lie “solely” with the MMDA. /mr