August 20, 2025 | 11:19am
MANILA, Philippines — As requires accountability over the nation’s flood management system intensify, cyclones and worsening climate situations proceed to overwhelm native communities. The distinction raises a stark query: How a lot has been spent to forestall floods, and what number of lives have nonetheless been misplaced?
Since 2022, the Philippines has spent P545 billion on flood administration, in accordance with preliminary findings from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s probe. The president has personally inspected a number of initiatives, together with one in Bulacan that he described as a “ghost challenge.”
Each chambers of Congress have opened separate inquiries into the circulate of funds.
Monitoring the human value. Philstar.com reviewed loss of life tolls from weather-related disasters utilizing data from the Nationwide Catastrophe Threat Discount and Administration Council (NDRRMC) from 2022 to 2024. These embrace fatalities from cyclones, low-pressure areas and shear traces.
Philstar.com/Jean Mangaluz; Made with Flourish
A mean of 212 folks have died annually since Marcos took workplace. The figures embrace all deaths reported by the NDRRMC, even these indirectly linked to drowning.
Spending vs casualties per area
Whereas the federal government factors to billions spent, the deadliest storms reveal stark gaps between funding and outcomes.
In 2022, Western Visayas (Area 8). Cyclone Agaton claimed 187 lives—the best loss of life toll in a single calamity. That yr, P5.59 billion had already been spent on accomplished initiatives within the area.
In 2023, Bicol (Area 5) and CAR areas reported the best loss of life tolls throughout cyclones Egay and Falcon. Bicol had spent practically thrice extra on flood administration with P33.23 billion versus CAR’s P11.43 billion.
In 2024, storms Kristine and Leon left 74 useless in Calabarzon, with one other 32 deaths from different calamities. In whole, 106 folks died that yr within the area, which reported P37.13 billion in accomplished initiatives.
These calculations spotlight broad gaps between spending and outcomes, with out accounting for deaths ensuing from flood mismanagement as a complete, similar to circumstances of leptospirosis, dengue and meals poor safety.
A system underneath scrutiny. The Division of Public Works and Highways has acknowledged the existence of “ghost initiatives” within the system. Lawmakers and the chief department are urgent ahead with investigations.
The difficulty is just not whether or not the federal government has funds to mitigate floods, however whether or not it might spend them successfully.
As a result of ultimately, the value of failed initiatives is measured not solely in pesos—however in lives.