Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has assured the public that adequate funding will be allocated to effective flood control programs, following widespread flooding that recently submerged many communities during heavy rains.
During the first Special Program Convergence Budgeting Steering Committee (PCB-SC) meeting on Friday, Pangandaman emphasized that the funds allocated “should not be imaginary or left idle,” adding that they must be “functional, felt, and truly helpful” to citizens.
The meeting was held in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration against corrupt practices during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“We do not want a repeat of what happened during the past storms when most areas in the country turned into swimming pools due to the deep floods, and some cars ended up like submarines. This caused a lot of inconvenience to our fellow Filipinos,” Pangandaman said.
The reported death toll due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong has reached 38, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.
Of this number, three deaths were confirmed while 35 are still for validation.
Those injured numbered 33 — with 24 already validated and nine still for validation.
Meanwhile, the total number of missing persons is eight — four confirmed and four still for validation.
The number of people affected by these weather disturbances has reached 2,365,343 families or 8,592,630 individuals.
Of this, 24,771 families or 91,906 individuals are staying inside 839 evacuation centers, while 32,320 families or 123,624 individuals are staying outside evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, head of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said on Sunday that the drainage system in the National Capital Region needs reassessment to address the ongoing flooding situation.
“The drainage system in Metro Manila is old. We need to study our drainage system and craft a master plan that can handle our population, current volume of rain, climate, and problems with garbage,” Zamora said.
Citing Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Zamora noted that one person generates around one kilo of trash per day.
He said this amounts to 15 million kilos of trash daily in Metro Manila, which often ends up in rivers, creeks, and drainage systems, causing blockages that lead to severe flooding.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “No repeat of past mistakes: DBM vows visible flood control projects”
