The Commission on Audit (COA) has kicked off a performance review of flood control projects nationwide, following an order from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a statement, COA said Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba directed the audit as part of COA Resolution No. 2024-018, which adopted the 2024-2026 Performance Audit Portfolio (PAP).
The PAP focuses on flood risk management and resiliency programs across Metro Manila and other provinces. It covers infrastructure such as dikes, pumping stations, and drainage systems, while also reviewing how early warning and forecast systems are being applied in communities.
“One of the areas of the program is the flood control projects which will be assessed in terms of its objectives of preventing and/or mitigating the [effects of flooding],” the statement said.
“[The Performance Audit Office] has also been instructed to submit its report immediately after completion of the audit,” it added.
Before this, COA had already ordered on-site technical inspections of all ongoing and completed flood control projects in Bulacan. This move aligns with the Marcos administration’s crackdown on so-called ghost and anomalous flood mitigation works.
COA technical teams will be deployed to check projects implemented between January 1, 2022 and July 31, 2025.
According to Cordoba, the inspections are designed to confirm the “physical existence” of projects, verify their current status, and determine whether they conform to the original design and specifications.