Bam Aquino Urges Proper Funding for Proven Flood Control Projects in Marikina, Navotas

The senator says flood control funds must prioritize effective infrastructure and communities that regularly experience severe flooding.

Senator Bam Aquino called for proper funding of genuine and effective flood control projects, citing infrastructure in Marikina City and Navotas City as models that have helped protect communities during heavy rains.

In an interview with Karen Davila on Headstart, Aquino said the Senate would closely examine how more than ₱100 billion in unprogrammed funds under the proposed 2027 national budget could potentially be used for flood control projects.

“Ang mangyayari diyan, itong ₱100 billion na iyan, aaralin namin. Anong mga lugar iyan? What are these projects?” Aquino said.

He stressed that public funds should support infrastructure that delivers measurable protection to communities.

“These are real flood control projects like what we’ve seen in Marikina, in Navotas. Yung totoong infrastructure talaga na nakakatulong sa tao,” he added.

Prioritizing Flood-Prone Communities

Aquino said the government must carefully review where flood control projects are distributed. He believes priority should be given to congressional districts and communities that frequently experience flooding.

The senator recalled questioning former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan in 2025 about the reported equal distribution of flood control projects, including allocations for areas that were not regularly affected by floods.

Aquino said such an approach raises concerns about whether limited government resources are reaching communities with the greatest need.

Marikina’s Flood Control Response

Marikina City has been cited for improvements in its flood management system. Despite rainfall reportedly comparable to that brought by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, floodwaters along several major roads quickly subsided during recent weather disturbances.

Under Mayor Maan Teodoro’s administration, residents observed improvements in the city’s preparedness and flood response compared with the extensive damage caused by Ondoy.

Navotas Infrastructure Protects Communities

Navotas City also demonstrated the value of sustained investment in flood control infrastructure.

Projects developed and funded during the tenure of Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco include a navigational gate, coastal dike, and network of pumping stations.

During heavy rains, these facilities helped manage floodwaters, prevent seawater from entering communities during high tide, and drain rainwater from roads.

Funding Projects That Work

Aquino said flood control projects should receive public funding only when they address genuine risks and provide meaningful protection to people.

As the Senate reviews the proposed 2027 national budget, the scrutiny of project locations, designs, costs, and expected benefits will be essential to ensuring that flood control funds reach communities that need them most.

The key question is not simply how much the government spends, but whether each project works and makes flood-prone communities safer.