Garin says flood control demonized: PH needs the good, key projects
MANILA, Philippines — While flood control has received a negative connotation after several anomalies involving ghost or substandard construction, House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin believes the recent strong rains only showed that good and necessary projects should get funding and support.
Garin, in an online press briefing on Monday, was asked about criticisms on social media—that the House is still pursuing the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte while several areas are flooded.
The House official responded that both duties can be fulfilled by the House, adding that several programs—such as effective flood control projects—have helped prevent flooding in areas that are usually flooded. However, Garin said this also stresses the need for more projects, especially in areas that should be prioritized.
“Alam niyo na-demonize kasi ’yong flood control projects, like ako in my district napaka-importante no’n kasi ang flood control projects sa distrito ko ay actually shoreline protection projects. So sa nakikita ngayon, tumataas eh, umaapaw ‘yong tubig-dagat at ’yong tubig-ilog papunta sa lupa,” Garin, who represents Iloilo province’s first district, told reporters.
(You know, the flood control projects have been demonized, but like in my case, in my district, flood control projects are so important because these are actually shoreline protection projects. So with what we see now, waters from rivers and seas rise and move inland.)
“In other words, these are actually important projects to protect communities. However, mayroon ngang mga bad eggs kaya na-demonize ito. With the proper alignment, nando’n ‘yong tinatawag na red areas—talagang kailangan-kailangan—and with the proper watchdogs, kailangan talaga siyang mabalik,” she added.
(In other words, these are actually important projects to protect communities. However, there are really bad eggs; that’s why it is being demonized. But with the alignment, if we prioritize the so-called red areas—those areas that need it the most—and with the proper watchdogs, we really need to bring it back.)
READ: Bulacan floods rise to 6 feet, displace about 11,000
Garin said that it will be a “double-whammy” if there are no more flood control projects given that some parts of the country have already suffered from poorly-built or non-existent programs.
“At aware na ’yong tao, nabuksan ang isip ng lahat, kailangan ito bantayan but it does not mean to say na ihihinto natin kasi mas malaking dagok ito,” she said.
(The people are aware of the anomalies; they know that they have to monitor it, but it does not mean to say that we should stop flood control because it would be a bigger blow to us.)
“Mado-double whammy, nagkaroon na nga ng problema sa flood control before, kung ihihinto mo nang tuluyan ‘yong programang iyan, paano naman ’yong good projects, paano naman ’yong mga communities that we need to protect?” she asked.
(It will be a double-whammy; we already have a problem with anomalous flood control projects before, but when you stop this program, how about the good projects and what will happen to the communities that we need to protect?)
2027 budget
Garin said that she believes there has to be funding for flood control projects in the 2027 budget, which the House is expected to deliberate on soon.
The National Expenditures Program (NEP), prepared by the executive branch, which contains the list of programs and projects of every government agency, is set to be submitted to the House on Tuesday at noon.
After receiving the NEP, the House will deliberate on the allocation, and then form the General Appropriations Bill (GAB)—which will eventually be sent to the Senate for their own set of deliberations.
According to Garin, with the safeguards placed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), flood control projects can be funded again.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko ang ginawa ng DBM, in coordination with DPWH and all the LGUs (local government units), provinces, municipalities, and cities, ay nagkaroon ng maraming requirements before siya pinasok sa NEP. So, ando’n ‘yong actual inspection, ando’n ‘yong actual boundary na itong pondo na ito, gaano ba kahaba ang kanyang ma-co-cover?” she said.
(Based on my knowledge, what the DBM did, in coordination with DPWH and all the LGUs (local government units), provinces, and municipalities, and cities, is to ask and provide for several requirements before it is inserted in the NEP. So there is an actual inspection; there is an actual boundary which states how much the specific funds can cover.)
“Gaano ba katatag? Ano ‘yong program of works, ano ‘yong mga nakasaad doon, gaano siya kalalim at paano siya hindi madadaya? So ‘yan ang ginawang mga requirements before siya pinasok sa proposed budget or the [NEP] […] sa pagkakaintindi ko eh nando’n ‘yong plano ng blacklisting ng mga contractors na nakitaang gumagawa ng substandard flood control projects,” she added.
(How strong is the project? What is the program of works, what is stated there, how deep will it be so that it will not be cheated? So those are the requirements asked before it is included in the proposed budget or the [NEP] […] based on my understanding there is also a plan to blacklist contractors identified as involved in substandard flood control projects.)
Garin also said that these can be the subject of amendments or changes to the NEP—another demonized matter—as the House has the power to make changes to the proposed budget in terms of which area or sector has to be prioritized.
“So ito ‘yong mga bagay na pwede maging errata na ‘yong existing project na nasa NEP ay pwede mong ilipat doon sa mas prayoridad based on the current times. So ando-doon naman ‘yong justification. Of course, we leave it to the leadership of the House and the leadership of the committee on appropriations, subalit naintindihan ko marami ang ipaglalaban ang tweaking ng mga erata,” she added.
(So these areas can be subjects of errata, where the existing project in the NEP can be diverted to a more pressing project based on the current times. So there will be a justification. Of course, we leave it to the leadership of the House and the leadership of the committee on appropriations, but I understand that many will push for the tweaking, or an errata.)
Marcos’ 2025 speech paved the way for investigations on anomalous infrastructure projects. However, the probe soon made its way towards Congress, as several members of the House and the Senate were accused of involvement in the kickback scheme.
In the House, former officials were blamed for the infrastructure corruption mess, as insertions in the 2025 national budget supposedly allowed a system of kickbacks.
Former Senate President Francis Escudero and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez were eventually removed from their posts following respective controversies.
Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, who was the committee on appropriations chairperson during Romualdez’s term, eventually came out in November 2025 with a video statement accusing Marcos Jr., former members of his cabinet, and Romualdez of being behind insertions in the 2025 national budget.
READ: Timeline: Zaldy Co case (What went before)
In the first set of videos released by Co, he claimed that Marcos, through former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, ordered the insertion of P100 billion for infrastructure projects in the 2025 budget. Co was head of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations during the 19th Congress, the panel that crafts the budget.
Co said Pangandaman instructed him to place P100 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). After he supposedly confirmed the directive with Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, Co said he told Romualdez about this instruction.
But Romualdez maintained innocence, saying that budget preparation does not begin in Congress, but in the executive branch — which Marcos heads— as it is the one that crafts and submits the NEP. /cb
