Malolos: Senate candidates under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Wednesday called for stronger climate resilience policies and infrastructure safeguards. This call to action comes after reports emerged that one of the rubber gates of the Bustos Dam in Bulacan province broke due to allegedly substandard construction, raising questions about public contractor accountability and infrastructure safety.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference held in Malolos, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III emphasized that dam-related failures and substandard public works highlight deeper issues within the national budget process. Sotto criticized the misallocation of funds, stressing that appropriate budgeting should prioritize the needs of dams and other essential projects within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He referenced the PHP160-billion worth of congressional realignments recently vetoed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and assured the public that if re-elected, the Senate would ensure the budget for 2026 avoids similar errors.

In a supporting statement, senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay highlighted the importance of legislative action to strengthen long-term climate adaptation. She advocated for the passage of the long-delayed National Land Use Act, which aims to prevent construction in hazardous zones. Additionally, Binay called for increased support for disaster science and forecasting initiatives, specifically mentioning the need for funding the Department of Science and Technology’s Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards). She stressed that climate resilience efforts should extend beyond Bulacan to encompass the entire country.