Congressman Isidro “Sid” Ungab of the 3rd District of Davao City is calling for a formal explanation from former House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co and Senior Vice-Chairperson turned Acting Chairperson Stella Quimbo regarding the diversion of billions in foreign-assisted flood control funds from the 2024 and 2025 national budgets.

During Friday’s budget hearing of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Ungab presented documents showing significant reductions and eventual removal of major Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)-funded flood control projects—despite their prior approval and international backing.

Ungab revealed that the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for FY 2024 and FY 2025 originally included 11 large-scale ODA projects totaling P 1.6 billion in 2024 and P27.5 billion in 2025. These projects had secured signed loan agreements endorsed by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) and were backed by sovereign guarantees.

Among the affected initiatives were the Metro Manila Flood Management Project and the Pasig-Marikina Channel Improvement Project—both considered essential to mitigating chronic flooding in the capital region.

However, Ungab disclosed that:

– The P21.6 billion allocation for 2024 was reduced by P5.49 billion during House deliberations and later completely removed during Senate and bicameral conference stages.

– For 2025, the P27.5 billion allocation was cut by P18.6 billion in the House-approved version, leaving only P8.9 billion. The final General Appropriations Act retained just P9.2 billion—a staggering 67% reduction.

“As a former Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, I know the importance of carefully planned and vetted ODA projects,” Ungab stated. “The rationale for deleting or reducing these flagship projects must be explained by both Cong. Zaldy Co and Cong. Stella Quimbo.”

Ungab clarified that the initial reductions were made by the House Small Committee during third reading, while the final deletions were enacted during the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberations.

He warned that diverting funds from internationally supported flood control programs undermines national resilience efforts and jeopardizes vulnerable communities. “These projects were not only technically sound but also backed by international commitments. Their removal raises serious questions about our budget priorities,” Ungab emphasized.