Flooding has long been a persistent problem in Eastern Visayas, where annual typhoons and heavy rains leave communities devastated.
Yet, amidst the region's vulnerability, the government’s flood control efforts—particularly those spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—have become a source of frustration, not just for the affected communities, but also for taxpayers across the country. The real tragedy?
Many of the flood control projects intended to save lives and protect properties are poorly designed, shoddily constructed, and, most alarmingly, have become a breeding ground for corruption.
The cycle begins with inflated contracts and subpar implementation.
Despite the region’s constant need for efficient and sustainable flood control measures, some projects have been executed with such a lack of foresight that they are essentially doomed from the start.
Contractors, often with close ties to politicians or officials, deliver poor-quality work that fails to address the root causes of flooding.
Drainage systems are improperly designed, floodgates are too small or inefficient, and river dredging is half-hearted at best.
In some cases, the incompetence is compounded by outright corruption.
There are reports of public funds being diverted into the pockets of unscrupulous individuals, as ghost projects or overpriced materials take the place of effective flood prevention.
The DPWH has been repeatedly scrutinized for delays in project completion, budget overruns, and substandard infrastructure that crumbles after a few storms.
Meanwhile, residents in flood-prone areas are left with broken embankments and clogged rivers—shoddy defenses that do nothing to prevent the next deluge.
It’s clear that the system is broken. Local communities continue to suffer, while those in power line their pockets. It’s time for the DPWH to clean up its act and demand accountability.
Comprehensive audits of flood control projects, stricter enforcement of regulations, and transparent bidding processes are essential steps to ensure that taxpayers’ money goes towards genuine flood mitigation efforts and not into corrupt hands.
The people of Eastern Visayas deserve better systems that work—and they deserve leaders who prioritize their safety over their own personal gain.
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