Benitez: Flood control funds could’ve built 1 million homes

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said the funds spent on questionable flood control projects could have instead financed the construction of 1 million houses for Filipino families.

Benitez cited the nearly PHP 1.2 trillion released for flood control efforts over the years, which he claimed has failed to address the country’s recurring flooding problems due to alleged irregularities.

“The truth is, because of these anomalies, the problem was never resolved,” Benitez said.

He noted that if the same amount had been redirected to the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) housing program, it could have built 1 million decent homes.

Such a move, he said, would have provided shelter to an equal number of families across the country.

Earlier, Benitez called for the resignation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary following the controversy surrounding the flood control projects.

“The principle of command responsibility demands that the secretary step down,” Benitez said.

He added that “if something as basic as this has been overlooked, who knows how many more critical projects are in a similar state?”

The lawmaker warned that these lapses put entire communities at risk, especially those relying on flood infrastructure for their safety.