The Office of the Ombudsman will investigate how the P60 billion flood control project fund in Cebu is spent over the past six years.

During the visit to the Mananga River Flood Control Project, Ombudsman Crispin Remulla stated that the billions in funding should have been sufficient to prevent the flooding.  However, over the past few days, continuous heavy rains in Cebu have raised river water levels and caused flooding in several areas.

“That should be a lot of money to control the flooding. But apparently, the past month, flooding happened again here in Cebu. So, we have to look at what's happening. Is it the design? Is it the execution? Or is it just corruption?”  he said

The Ombudsman will investigate the causes of flooding in affected areas and verify the actual location and coordinates of flood control projects.

“We're looking at everything, actually. Uunahin namin yung mga binaha na lugar,” he said

[“We're looking at everything, actually. We will prioritize the flooded areas.”]

“Well, we're looking at the 60 billion universe. The 60 billion for the past 6 years poured into the Cebu area is important. But of course we're looking at the whole Visayas,” he added

[“Well, we're looking at the 60 billion universe. The 60 billion for the past 6 years poured into the Cebu area is important. But of course we're looking at the whole Visayas.”]

The Ombudsman refrained from naming specific individuals who are potentially involved in the irregularities.

Aside from Cebu, the office will also conduct the flood control project investigation in Bohol and Tacloban.

With reports from Gladys Toabi