Manila: As 2025 draws to a close, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. placed flood control at the forefront of his administration's anti-corruption efforts, pushing for transparency and accountability.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a series of unprecedented moves this year, Marcos devoted significant time to inspecting areas with substandard or non-existent flood control projects, monitoring investigations into the flood control mess, and ensuring that personalities involved in the controversy are held accountable.
Marcos placed heightened emphasis on fiscal discipline and project integrity, noting that the proper use of public funds is as vital as protecting communities from the devastating effects of floods.
A major policy decision saw the halt of new flood control allocations in the proposed 2026 national budget, with Marcos directing the full utilization of the available PHP350 billion from the 2025 budget before approving new appropriations.
The decision followed the discovery that many flood control projects funded in 2025 remained unspent, delayed or incomplete, prompting Marcos to order strict oversight before any additional funding is released.
Complementing this move, Marcos announced in September that the funds originally intended for next year's flood control projects would be realigned to priority sectors such as education, health, agriculture, housing, and social services, guided by a government-issued 'spending menu' to ensure prudent use of public resources.
Marcos stressed that all ongoing flood control projects must comply with engineering and safety standards, ordering strict monitoring of design and implementation, and directing contractors to correct defective or standard outputs at their own expense.
In response to mounting concerns over the integrity of past flood control projects, Marcos initiated measures to strengthen transparency and oversight.
Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct a comprehensive review of recent flood control works and publish a list of projects for public scrutiny, following reports of substandard and alleged ghost projects uncovered during audits.
Addressing corruption risks, Marcos disclosed the results of an initial government review showing that PHP100 billion, or 20 percent of PHP545.64 billion total flood control spending since mid-2022, were awarded to just 15 contractors, raising concerns over concentration of contracts and potential irregularities.
To sustain investigative momentum, Marcos issued Executive Order 94, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), an independent body mandated to probe anomalies in flood control and other infrastructure projects and recommend legal action against those found culpable.
As of November 2025, the ICI has focused its review on 80 flood control projects tied to flagged contractors, coordinating with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence for possible legal action.
Government data showed the scale of the flood control effort, with around 5,700 ongoing flood management projects and nearly 9,856 completed works since mid-2022, covering both minor and major river basin initiatives nationwide.
To promote transparency and citizen participation, Marcos strengthened public reporting mechanisms by launching the 'Sumbong sa Pangulo' website and the DPWH transparency portal.
The intensified review of flood control projects in 2025 led to the filing of criminal cases and the arrest of several individuals, including controversial contractor Cezarah Rowena 'Sarah' Discaya, marking a significant development in the Marcos administration's anti-corruption campaign.
Amid public hearings and inspections, Marcos stressed the imperative of solid evidence in pursuing corruption cases, warning that weak charges could undermine the rule of law.
Beyond governance reforms, Marcos maintained that effective flood control infrastructure remains essential, stressing that projects meeting strict standards will proceed, with local government acceptance required before completion is certified.
As the year ends, Malaca±ang reaffirmed that flood control would remain a priority in 2026 -- pursued with integrity, fiscal prudence, and a renewed commitment to protecting the public trust.
