Government begins audit framework for flood control projects

A regional review of flood control infrastructure is underway following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with officials beginning to draft a protocol to assess completed and ongoing projects.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said Tuesday that the Regional Development Council (RDC) will begin crafting the protocol to guide the review process. This comes in response to the President’s recent instruction for the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) to evaluate flood control initiatives—particularly those flagged as failed, incomplete, or potentially ghost projects.

Marcos, during an inspection of flood-affected areas last week, said he personally witnessed substandard flood control structures, some of which had already collapsed. He has since ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a full list of flood control projects implemented since the start of his administration in 2022.

“We heard the President’s directive. The Regional Project Monitoring Committee is under the RDC and is composed of regional line agencies, selected agencies, and private sector representatives,” Edillon said during a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum in San Juan City.

The RDC serves as the highest policy-making body at the regional level and acts as the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board. It is tasked with directing and coordinating economic and social development efforts within the region.

While awaiting DPWH’s list of relevant projects, Edillon said the RDC would proceed with developing the audit protocol, which will include verification methods, evaluation parameters, and potential consultations with engineering experts to ensure objectivity.

“We will promptly report our findings to the RDC and to the President,” Edillon added.

The review is part of the broader effort to ensure accountability and effectiveness in infrastructure investments, particularly those related to disaster resilience and public safety.