By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Ako Bicol Party-List Representative and Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co on Friday (25 Oct 2024) firmly denied circulating social media rumors alleging a large budget allocation for flood control in the Bicol Region, calling these reports “false and unfounded.”
In a statement, Co clarified that Bicol actually has one of the lowest national allocations for road infrastructure and flood control projects.
“There’s no truth to the alleged billion-peso appropriations for Bicol flood control. In fact, the region’s funding for national roads and flood control is among the smallest in the country,” Co emphasized.
The Bicolano legislator highlighted that the current administration’s infrastructure strategy, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, integrates flood control with sustainable water management to boost food security. Co pointed to ongoing efforts linking flood control projects to National Irrigation Administration (NIA) water impounding facilities, which provide essential irrigation for local farms.
“Under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, Congress ensures that flood control initiatives are connected to NIA’s water management system, directly supporting agriculture,” Co said, underscoring the administration’s commitment to sustainability.
Co credited reforms in the Romualdez-led Congress for preventing unnecessary flood control spending, noting that only projects aligned with safety and food production goals receive funding.
“For the first time in three decades, we’ve stopped funding flood control projects, rocknetting, and safety devices that lack long-term benefits,” he added.
Co contrasted this with the previous administration’s P51-billion allocation for Davao and nearly P200 billion for rocknetting over three years, often lacking alignment with food security and public safety. Under current leadership, Co asserted, every peso is directed toward impactful projects that mitigate disasters and strengthen food production in Bicol.
Co reaffirmed his commitment to responsible spending, ensuring that infrastructure funds support sustainable development in the region.
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