Flood control projects that are supposed to help communities during storms have disappeared when they are needed most.

DPWH projects were meant to stop damage, but the truth is different. People voted for leaders they thought could help, yet some of these projects are now part of the problem.

From July 2022 to May 2025, the government spent 545 billion pesos on 9,885 projects, but 6,021 of them did not clearly say what kind of flood control was built. Many structures were reportedly made with low-quality materials. While disasters continue to hurt communities, some officials live in luxury, leaving behind ghost projects that could have prevented most flood damage.

On November 2, 2025, Typhoon Tino hit central Philippines, especially Cebu. It killed 269 people and damaged 253,000 homes across seven regions. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said all flood control projects in her province were either ghost projects or poorly built, even with more than 26 billion pesos spent.

Are New Steps Enough?

In September 2025, an Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was created to check irregularities. The “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website was also launched so people can track projects or report problems. These sound helpful—but are they really fixing the problem, or just covering up mistakes?

The government gives aid during disasters. They help people prepare and respond to emergencies. But we have to ask: is everything being done honestly, or is corruption still happening behind the scenes?

Filipinos need to stay aware and vote carefully. Choosing leaders with honesty, transparency, and real service is key. Our future depends on making sure projects are done right and not forgotten.