Malacañang has responded to Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro’s Facebook post questioning the ₱26 billion flood control budget allocated for Cebu, following the severe flooding caused by Typhoon Tino.
“26 billion of flood control funds for Cebu yet we are flooded to the max,” Baricuatro earlier wrote.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, November 5, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said this was precisely why President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into the flood control projects.
“‘Yon din naman po, ‘yan po ang dahilan kung bakit po nagpapa-imbestiga ang Pangulong Marcos Jr. dahil nakita niya po ‘yong epekto; may mga budget na inilaan para dito pero parang hindi gumagana,” Castro said.
She added that if Baricuatro has relevant “facts and data” that could help the investigation, the government would welcome them.
Castro revealed that 343 flood control projects were implemented in Cebu from 2016 to 2022, noting that accountability should cover both current and past administrations.
“Pagtulung-tulungan po natin mahanap ang dapat na mapanagot sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects,” she added.
Malacañang also maintained that the ongoing probe is not politically motivated, emphasizing that public funds and performance must always be scrutinized, regardless of which administration initiated the projects.