Flooding and food inflation in the country are not simply natural consequences of typhoons but are deeply tied to government neglect and corruption in infrastructure projects, according to IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa.

In an interview on DZRH’s Special on Saturday, Africa stressed that while typhoons strike the Philippines annually, the government’s lack of preparation magnifies their impact on food production and prices.

“Taon-taon may darating na bagyo, siguro ang tanong hindi na ‘yong pagtama ng bagyo kundi ano ‘yong ginagawa at hindi ginagawa ng pamahalaan para sa siguradong pagdating ng bagyo hindi bahain ‘yong pananim at mahanda na hindi babagsak ang produksyon at [hindi] mapapataas ang presyo ng pagkain,” Africa said.

According to Africa, flooding in both urban and rural areas disrupts agricultural production, directly affecting supply and driving up the cost of basic goods like vegetables and fish.

“Malaking salik diyan [inflation ay] hindi lang ‘yong bagyo, ‘yong hindi paghahanda ng gobyerno, including pag-aayos ng flood control sa kanayunan para hindi bahain at masira ‘yong pananim at [hindi] magmahal ang presyo ng bilihin,” he explained.

Corruption in Flood Control Projects

Africa further argued that corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects has a direct effect on the economy.

“Kung hindi nahanda ng gobyerno ‘yong imprastraktura sa kanayunan, hindi babahain ang mga pananim o may sapat na proteksyon sa pagdating ng bagyo, kung bumagsak ang produksyon, law of supply and demand, mataas ang presyo ng bilihin,” he said.

He noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had allocated around ₱950 billion for flood control projects from 2023 to 2025. However, Africa pointed out that much of this funding has been allegedly distributed to political allies through pork barrel-like allocations.

IBON Foundation’s research using the government’s Sumbong sa Pangulo website revealed that of the ₱540 billion listed in flood control projects:

• ₱245 billion went to members of the Lakas-CMD party,

• ₱38 billion to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas,

• ₱87 billion to the National Unity Party,

• ₱79 billion to the Nationalist People’s Coalition,

• ₱50 billion to the Nacionalista Party, and

• ₱16 billion to the Liberal Party

Africa said this shows that allocations are heavily skewed toward ruling and allied parties, contradicting the President’s claim of being “anti-corruption.”

“Hindi nakalista ‘yong per congressional district. So medyo kinutkot namin ‘yan, batay sa pangalan may place name naman, sinasabi doon ano yung barangay, ano yung munisipiyo, ano yung siyudad, minatch namin sa congressional district, parang IBON pa yung gumawa non, eh sana kung gusto maging transparent ng pamahalaan edi sana siya na mismo hindi na kami pinahirapan,” Africa argued.

While acknowledging that many projects are implemented, Africa said the bigger problems are the existence of unnecessary projects, ghost projects, and padded budgets.

“Marami naman silang nagawa, and i think ‘yon ang medyo dapat himayin natin ng konti. Ang pinakanakakagigil diyan ‘yong talagang ghost projects, ‘yong talagang hindi inumpisahan anuman, pero karamihan naman ng proyekto nyan, pinatupad talaga eh.,” he said.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson recently challenged the public to point to even one perfectly done flood control project, saying he would donate his one-month pension if proven wrong.

“Siguro naman may kahit isa? Sana naman ‘no pero ang lungkot naman kung walang kahit isang perpektong maayos na proyekto,” Africa responded hypothetically with an estimated 10,000 listed projects.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

Africa warned that systemic corruption not only hurts farmers and consumers but also undermines investor confidence.

“Ayaw na ayaw ng mga dayuhang negosyante ang korapsyon kasi alam nila ‘yong may pwersa sa korapsyon ay ‘yong mga katunggali nila na lokal na negosyante at ‘yong mga politiko kaya hindi talaga pabor ang mga dayuhan sa korapsyon kasi ‘yong negosyo nila apektado, bawas kita nila, may mga lagay sila, ang komplikado, at daming mga kailangan kausapin.,” he said.

IBON Foundation is calling for greater transparency in government spending, including full disclosure of project appraisals and congressional district-level allocations.

Africa argued that unless corruption in infrastructure projects is addressed, the Philippines will continue to face chronic inflation, weak agricultural productivity, and declining investor trust.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and to demand accurate, factual information on issues that affect their welfare, stressing that while foreign investors may come and go, it is the Filipino people who must be prioritized, especially in this critical period marked by widespread corruption.