Our Billions, Our Floods

Another downpour, another day of anxiety for countless Ilonggo families. As waters rise in our streets and farmlands, a deluge of questions is rising in our halls of government. At stake are not just public funds, but the public’s trust.

The recent revelations surrounding flood control projects, from the national Senate to our own provincial board, demand more than just speeches and political maneuvering. They demand a clear, unwavering call for transparency and accountability for the billions meant to protect our homes and livelihoods.

The alarm was sounded at the highest level when Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that “ghost” flood control projects likely exist. When asked if he believed so, his response was a stunning, “In all confidence… I think so.” This admission gives national weight to the concerns now boiling over in Iloilo. It confirms that the rot is systemic, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s own denouncement of racketeering in his State of the Nation Address. The problem isn’t theoretical; it is a clear and present danger to the nation’s coffers and its citizens’ safety.

Here in Iloilo, that national concern has a staggering price tag. In a privilege speech aptly titled “Deluge,” 5th District Board Member Rolex T. Suplico laid bare the scale of spending in his district alone: over P1.8 billion since 2022. Citing data from the President’s own “Sumbong sa Pangulo” portal, Suplico pointed out a glaring discrepancy—seven projects worth a combined P660 million, evidenced by on-site billboards, were not reflected in the online database.

Suplico believes these were “insertions” made by Members of Congress during budget deliberations. This raises a fundamental question of accountability. Who championed these projects? Were they based on sound engineering and genuine need, or on political convenience? The public deserves to know.

Predictably, the call for an investigation has itself become a subject of debate within the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. While some members rightly call for the probe to be expanded to cover all districts, 3rd District Board Member Jason Gonzales offered a crucial word of caution. He correctly stated that a congressional “insertion by itself is not illegal,” and warned against an inquiry that could devolve into a “witch hunt” without clear parameters.

This is where fairness must temper firmness. Board Member Gonzales is not wrong; the public does not need political theater. What it needs is a methodical, evidence-based investigation. His call for citizens to bring forward specific complaints with evidence is a pragmatic step. The responsibility of the provincial board is not to simply “throw this to the Committee on Infrastructure,” but to define the exact scope of what must be investigated: Are the projects in the right locations? Are they built to standard? Do they even exist?

This pattern of procedural roadblocks is also seen in Iloilo City, where the City Council is divided on how to compel Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) OIC Roy Pacanan to face their own inquiry. As Majority Floor Leader Rex Marcus Sarabia stated, the council must have a “backbone.” That sentiment applies to all our elected officials. True strength is not in political posturing, but in relentlessly pursuing the truth on behalf of the people.

The floods will come again. The question for our leaders is whether they will be met with robust, well-built defenses or with the hollow promise of projects that exist only on paper. The time for debate is over. It is time for our officials—in the city, the province, and in Congress—to provide a full and honest accounting. It is our money, our safety, and our future. We demand answers.