Zoe Financial
Every time the skies open over the Philippines, thousands of families brace for impact—not just from the floodwaters, but from the betrayal that follows. Streets vanish beneath torrents. Homes are swallowed. Livelihoods are lost. And behind this recurring disaster lies a deeper, more painful truth: the failure of flood control projects that were supposed to protect the people. These failures are not just technical—they are moral, financial, and deeply human.
Billions Spent, Millions Suffer
Flood control projects are meant to be lifelines. They promise safety, stability, and peace of mind. Yet in the Philippines, many of these projects have turned into symbols of broken trust. From 2022 to 2025 alone, over ₱100 billion was allocated to flood control initiatives. But despite this massive spending, communities in Metro Manila, Northern Mindanao, and Visayas continue to drown in neglect.
The financial toll is staggering. Each flood triggers emergency spending—relief goods, rescue operations, infrastructure repairs. Businesses shut down. Farmers lose crops. Children miss school. And the cycle repeats. It’s not just a leak in the system—it’s a hemorrhage.
The Discaya Scandal: A Case Study in Corruption
At the heart of this crisis is a web of corruption that has infiltrated the finance and infrastructure sectors. One of the most glaring examples is the case of controversial contractor Sarah Discaya. Between 2016 and 2025, Discaya and her family’s companies secured over ₱30 billion worth of flood control contracts from the DPWH. Her firms—including Alpha & Omega, St. Timothy Construction, and St. Gerrard Construction—were found to have engaged in “mock bidding,” where multiple companies owned by the same person competed against each other to corner public projects.
In a Senate hearing, Discaya admitted that her nine companies sometimes bid for the same contract, effectively rigging the process. This scheme violated procurement laws and undermined fair competition. The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) has since revoked the licenses of all nine firms.
Even more troubling, some of these projects were either substandard or never completed. The ₱149.5 million flood control project in Liloan, Cebu—awarded to Alpha & Omega and MC Geometric Proportions—was completed, but only after intense scrutiny and public backlash. Meanwhile, other projects remain ghost works, with funds gone and no infrastructure to show for it.
DPWH Under Fire
The Department of Public Works and Highways, under Secretary Vince Dizon, has requested a lookout bulletin order for several officials and contractors involved in these ghost projects. This move follows President Marcos’ directive to cleanse the department and hold those responsible accountable. But for many Filipinos, the damage is already done.
The DPWH’s failure to enforce transparency and quality control has cost the nation dearly. It’s not just about misused funds—it’s about lives disrupted, trust eroded, and futures stolen.
Global Implications
The Philippines is not alone in this struggle. Across the globe, developing nations face similar challenges: corruption, poor planning, and lack of accountability in climate resilience projects. But the Discaya scandal sends a clear warning to the international community. When infrastructure is treated as a business opportunity instead of a public service, the consequences are catastrophic.
Flood control is a global issue. Failed systems in one country can disrupt supply chains, increase international aid burdens, and tarnish reputations. Investors hesitate. Tourists stay away. And the cycle of poverty deepens.
The Human Cost
Behind every failed project is a story of suffering. A father carrying his child through chest-deep water. A vendor watching his store float away. A student losing her books and dreams to the flood. These are not just statistics—they are lives interrupted.
In evacuation centers, families sleep on cardboard mats. Children fall ill. Mental health deteriorates. And all of this could have been prevented—if only the systems had worked.
Justice Must Be Served
To truly address this crisis, we must go beyond apologies and audits. Accountability is non-negotiable. Officials who approved faulty projects must be investigated. Contractors who delivered substandard work must be banned. Finance officers who enabled corruption must face the law.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Senator Bong Go, has vowed deeper scrutiny. But critics point out his family’s ties to CLTG Builders, which partnered with Discaya’s firms in projects worth over ₱816 million. This raises questions about political influence and conflict of interest. Transparency must not be selective. Justice must be blind.
Rebuilding with Integrity
Moving forward, flood control must be treated as sacred. Projects must be based on science, not politics. Community input must be prioritized. Every peso spent must be tracked and justified.
Technology can help—real-time monitoring, transparent bidding platforms, satellite mapping. But more than tools, we need values: honesty, accountability, compassion.
A Call to Action
The floods may wash away roads and homes, but they must not wash away our resolve. The Filipino people deserve better. They deserve systems that protect, not betray. Leaders who serve, not steal. And a future where floods are met with strength, not sorrow.
Let this be a turning point. Let the failures of the past fuel the reforms of tomorrow. Let the tears of those affected become the voice of change. And let the world see that even in the face of corruption and disaster, the spirit of the Filipino will not be drowned.
Because when we rebuild with integrity, we don’t just build flood control systems—we build hope. We build trust. We build a nation that stands tall, even when the waters rise.
By: Keven Balasta Longcop
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