Manila, May 7 -- Senate candidates under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Wednesday called for stronger climate resilience policies and infrastructure safeguards.

This, after reports said 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.

In a press conference held in Malolos, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III said dam-related failures and substandard public works reflect deeper issues in the national budget process.

"It all boils down to budget. If the budget is being used properly, dapat 'yong mga pangangailangan sa mga dam at iba pang proyekto ay inilalag...