Sen. Bong Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, delivered a strong manifestation on Wednesday during the Senate’s regular session, raising alarm over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Citing worsening flooding despite ballooning budgets for flood mitigation, Go underscored the need to redirect public funds toward more urgent priorities, particularly health care and the welfare of health care workers.

Go decries ‘irregularities’ in flood control projects

“Mr. President, I join Sen. Ping Lacson in condemning the irregularities in the allocation and implementation of flood control projects,” Go said in his speech, expressing dismay over what he described as a contradiction between growing allocations and deteriorating outcomes.

“As manifested yesterday in the Blue Ribbon hearing, it is unacceptable that while the budget for flood control increases, the flooding also increases,” he added.

Go emphasized that more funds should instead be used to upgrade critical health facilities, such as the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), which has also been affected by flooding.

“Why don’t you just allocate the budget for health instead?” he said, referencing recent footage showing the PGH inundated during a recent storm. “That’s where the funds should go.”

The senator also called attention to the disparity between infrastructure and health care budgets, noting that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) holds a budget of P880 billion. At the same time, the health sector receives barely a third of that amount.

“Why not allocate funds for our healthcare workers, many of whom are still not being paid the health emergency allowance?” Go said, questioning the government’s priorities. “What is more important — services rendered or projects being implemented?”

Go said he had raised the issue in a Senate Health Committee hearing, reiterating the need to use unprogrammed appropriations to fulfill outstanding obligations to medical frontliners.

He also welcomed the ongoing investigation ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, which he said appear to involve a “systematic modus operandi” from project identification to implementation.

Senator Go recalled that he had already questioned the DPWH in 2023 regarding the placement and justification of specific flood control projects.

Addressing allegations linking him to questionable infrastructure initiatives, Go strongly denied any involvement and denounced what he described as “recycled and malicious” accusations.

“These were the same issues in 2018 and 2021, especially around election time,” he said. “For the record, my family has not benefited a single peso from my position in government.”

He also revealed a personal condition he had set with former president Rodrigo Duterte during their time in public service: “If any of my relatives come forward for favor, I would resign. That’s how I have observed delicadeza throughout my years in government.”, This news data comes from:http://ud-etoa-wcpu-dlkg.771bg.com

Reaffirming his stance as a legislator uninvolved in project execution, Go stressed, “I am a senator, a legislator. I have no role in the implementation of flood control projects, especially in identifying or endorsing them.”

To further promote transparency, Go referenced Senate Bill 783, which he co-authored. The proposed measure aims to prohibit relatives of government officials — up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity — from entering into contracts with any government entity, ranging from the national level to local government units.

In conclusion, Go called for accountability from those responsible for substandard and questionable projects.

“Given the size of the funds being discussed here, there is not enough audit or reporting on these flood control projects,” he said. “Explanations from contractors or DPWH alone are not enough.”

“Someone must be held accountable — for the misuse of public funds, for substandard projects, and for the ongoing damage caused by flooding that should have been resolved long ago,” he declared.