Manila: Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday revealed a recurring pattern of corruption in the country's flood control projects, describing it as "systemic."

According to Philippines News Agency, in a privilege speech, Lacson highlighted that over PHP1.9 trillion has been allocated for flood control since 2011, with more than PHP1 trillion allocated in the past three years. Despite these allocations, many communities continue to experience flooding due to projects that were either defective, overpriced, or never constructed.

Lacson explained that the anomalies in flood control projects follow a specific pattern: funds are inserted into the national budget and subsequently channeled to projects that are overpriced, repeatedly repaired to justify escalating costs, poorly constructed, or never built at all.

Among the highlighted cases was the Candaba flood control in Pampanga, where costs increased from PHP20 million to PHP274 million through repeated repairs. The Bauang River Basin in La Union saw allocations rise from PHP100 million to nearly PHP1.6 billion through budget insertions. In Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, almost PHP19 billion was allocated over three years, yet dikes still collapsed after rains.

In Bulacan, at least 30 projects were identified where funds were released but no construction occurred. Similarly, in Pampanga, a project initially costing PHP20 million increased to PHP274 million after being awarded multiple times to the same contractor. In La Union, the Bauang River Basin allocation surged due to insertions in the budget process.

Lacson noted that this cycle is perpetuated by collusion among contractors, local officials, and syndicates within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He added that engineers and contractors are willing to testify about these syndicates if provided protection.