But admits climate change, record rainfall levels ‘overwhelming’

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. admitted the country’s flood control projects were overwhelmed by the recent onslaught of typhoons amid calls for an investigation into the effectiveness of government spending on flood control infrastructure.

“There’s no problem with investigating flood control projects,” Mr. Marcos said in an interview during his visit to Batangas where 52 people died during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.”

“But people must realize there are two sides to this. Our flood control systems are overwhelmed. This level of flooding, we’ve never faced anything like it in our history.”

“Ondoy dropped around 400 centimeters of rain; Kristine hit over 700. Our flood controls were built to handle something like Ondoy—not this. The amount of rain we’re seeing now is causing landslides and floods in areas that have never experienced them before,” he added.

The Department of Public Works and Highways proposed P303 billion for its flood control projects next year, higher than this year’s P244.5 billion funding, Secretary Manuel Bonoan earlier said.

In 2023, DPWH had P182 billion for flood control; P128 billion in 2022; P101 billion in 2021; and P90 billion in 2020.

Senate President Francis Escudero earlier said the Upper Chamber would probe the government’s flood control projects during the plenary debates on next year’s proposed budget.

“Flooding is not a modern-day phenomenon. It has been with us long before the birth of the republic. Every administration has its own ‘Great Flood’ to contend with,” Escudero said.

“Moving forward, however, we will not only exact accountability but also make sure the 2025 budget will provide preventive measures to avoid a recurrence as well as adequate rehabilitation and response in case of a similar calamity in the future. Smart spending has a bias for durable projects, not adhocracy or band-aid solutions. We should build for the next generation, not for the next elections,” he added.

President Marcos, however, highlighted similar climate-related disasters happening worldwide.

“Look at what’s happening elsewhere, this is new for them, too. We’re seeing these intense weather events everywhere,” he said.

“We are witnessing stronger storms that change course quickly and cover a wider area. We must ensure these tragedies don’t happen again… We need to change our designs, strengthen our infrastructure—flood controls, slope protections, bridges.”

“I’ll tell you the truth—it’s never enough. I wish we could do more. We’re doing everything we can, but when you lose a life, you lose a life. It’s a terrible tragedy, and nothing can change that,” he added.

The President directed the Department of Science and Technology to improve early-warning systems in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

He also ordered the DILG to expand its “Operation Listo” program, which trains local government units on disaster readiness.

Mr. Marcos likewise instructed the DPWH to fortify the design of roads and bridges to withstand severe weather conditions, referencing the recent damage to the Bugaan Bridge in Laurel and other sections of the Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo national road.

“Our infrastructure must be built not just on schedule, but with durability and resilience in mind,” he said, also tasking the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure high-quality materials are used for such projects.