Multibillion-peso flood control works lack coordination - DPWH

Flood control projects worth more than P800 billion have been implemented since 2022 without substantial coordination with the River Basin Control Office (RBCO), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

- By TRIXEE ROSEL

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted this after Senator Rodante Marcoleta questioned whether the agency’s regional and district engineers had consulted the RBCO, which is mandated to integrate projects into a national master plan.

“Unfortunately, Your Honor, this is one of the challenges we have to face. I admit, Mr. Chairman, that we have not had any significant coordination at this point in time,” Bonoan said.

Created under Executive Order No. 510 in 2006, the RBCO is tasked to consolidate and integrate river basin projects and prepare a master plan in coordination with DPWH and other agencies.

Marcoleta warned that DPWH projects could end up ineffective without such integration, stressing that funds continue to be released while the office responsible for ensuring coordination remains idle.