KIKO ON ADDRESSING FLOOD CONTROL PROBLEMS: ‘WAG NA PO TAYONG NAGHAHALAL NG MGA MAGNANAKAW’
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan urged Filipinos to reject candidates with histories of corruption and dishonesty, stressing that clean and competent leadership is crucial to solving the country’s persistent flood control problems. “Noong unang panahon, mga pulitiko namomorsyento sa proyekto ngunit sa tindi ng pangungurakot, proyekto na lang ang namomorsyento sa pulitiko,” Pangilinan said, noting that up to 70% of project funds are lost to corruption. “That’s not just a leak in the system—that’s a flood. No wonder our projects are delayed or substandard.” He lamented that despite billions allocated to flood control over the years, projects remain delayed, substandard, or ineffective. He linked this not only to natural causes but also to poor drainage, clogged systems, questionable planning, lack of maintenance, and systemic corruption. “Ang kinakailangan lang wag na po tayong naghahalal ng mga magnanakaw, mga sinungaling, mga walang kwenta, mga makasariling pulitiko,” he added. Pangilinan reaffirmed his push for Senate Bill No. 225, or the National Water Resources Management Act, which seeks to create the Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Flood Control and Drainage. The measure aims to establish a coordinated framework for managing water resources, improving disaster risk reduction, and protecting communities vulnerable to climate-induced disasters.