Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan said lawmakers must ensure adequate funding for science-based agencies and coordinated flood-control programs as Congress begins work on the next national budget, following controversies surrounding flood control projects.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH’s Isyung Pambayan, Yamsuan confirmed that there was no allocation for flood control projects last year, leaving local governments to rely on national government support.
“Wala talaga allocation. Kumbaga umaasa kami sa national government, kaya nga tama yung sinabi mo kanina na band-aid solutions lang talaga yung mga ginagawa ngayon ng ating mga lugar sa iba't ibang parte ng Pilipinas,” Yamsuan said.
He said the lack of sustained funding contributed to inadequate attention to flood-control infrastructure in Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas.
Yamsuan said a key priority in the upcoming budget deliberations should be providing sufficient funding for science-based agencies and tools that can guide the government in designing more effective flood-control projects.
He specifically cited geotagging and Project NOAH as important mechanisms for gathering data and identifying appropriate interventions in flood-prone communities.
“Importante yan na mapondohan na kasi titignan namin kung talagang ito na 'yung gagamitin namin as a mechanism para doon sa mas maayos na mga proyekto na dadaloy dun sa mga lugar,” he said.
Yamsuan also stressed the need to connect nationally-funded programs with science-based solutions and coordinate flood-control efforts across neighboring communities.
He cited the need to examine water flows involving Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay, as well as projects affecting the Marikina River, to ensure that flood control measures in one area do not simply redirect water and create new problems elsewhere.
The lawmaker said the impact on neighboring communities such as Muntinlupa and Bacoor must also be considered when planning large flood-control structures.
“Kasi kung magka-clog din sa isang area, nagawa mo nga isang area, outfall naman. O outfall naman dun sa ibang area, kawawa din sila,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan emphasized that flood control should follow a whole-of-nation approach, saying lawmakers may represent specific districts but must ensure that national programs benefit communities across the country.
“So kailangan whole-of-nation approach din yung aming titignan bilang mga mambabatas. Rine-represent namin yung aming distrito pero ang pinaka-importante dito, yung buong bansa yung makikinabang,” he said.
