Solon: House open to amend proposed budget for flood control projects

MANILA, Philippines — Congress is open to amending or adjusting the proposed funds for flood control projects for 2027, subject to necessity and deliberation, Parañaque City Rep. Brian Yamsuan said on Wednesday. 

Under the proposed P7.2 trillion National Expenditure Program for 2027, P107 billion was allotted for flood control projects.

This appropriation comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. scrapped funding for locally funded flood control structures due to anomalies a year ago. 

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READ: 2027 budget: DBM proposes P107B for flood control, P10B for secret funds

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“We can amend and adjust based on the needs of our country and areas. We’ve seen what happened here in Metro Manila where we experienced heavy rainfall,” Yamsuan said in Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. 

Yamsuan noted that the proposed P7.2 trillion national budget for 2027 is not yet final.

He explained that the House of Representatives and Senate will still hold separate budget hearings and possibly a bicameral conference committee to reconcile possible amendments. 

“The national budget is not yet cast in stone. We’re still in the period of briefing every agency,” he said.

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“I think we, even [House panel on appropriations chairperson] Mika Suansing, even the leaders, are open to amend, especially if it will help our programs,” he added.

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Of the P107 billion budget allocated for flood control projects, P19.6 billion is for capital outlays for foreign-assisted flood control projects, while P3.41 billion is for Metropolitan Manila Development Authority flood control projects. 

Yamsuan also underscored the importance of a science-based approach in drafting masterplans for flood control projects.

He said that the government needs private partnerships because they have the expertise to conduct feasibility studies. 

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“If there is a masterplan and scientific approach by experts, there will be a solution, and not just a band-aid one,” the lawmaker pointed out. /apl