President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pointed to incomplete and non-existent flood control initiatives in Bulacan as a key driver behind the widespread inundation that recently submerged parts of Central Luzon.
Speaking to reporters after leading a situation briefing in San Fernando City, Pampanga, Marcos stated that weeks of relentless downpours driven by the southwest monsoon (habagat) overwhelmed the region’s existing flood management defenses.
He identified flawed or unexecuted infrastructure in Bulacan—which was built to mitigate regional overflow—as a major vulnerability in the current system.
“Talagang ramdam na ramdam na napakabigat ang ulan at napakarami ang bumagsak na tubig kayat na-overwhelm lahat ng mga ating flood management program,” Marcos noted.
“Ang problema kitang-kita, siyempre alam naman natin na marami sa… Halimbawa sa Bulacan na mga flood control na hindi naman nagawa kaya nagkakaganito,” he added.
However, the Chief Executive noted that defective infrastructure was not solely responsible for the crisis, pointing to extreme, climate-driven rainfall as a major contributor.
“Ngunit kailangan din natin maunawaan na hindi lang dahil sa problema ng flood control project kung hindi pati na sa lakas talaga ng ulan na hindi pa natin nakita sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Ito ay resulta ang naging resulta ng climate change,” Marcos emphasized.
To address the situation, Marcos assured that the government will immediately repair damaged infrastructure and reconstruct destroyed facilities, emphasizing that all future builds must be reinforced to endure subsequent storms.
He highlighted these rehabilitation efforts as the government’s top priority to speed up regional recovery.
Nevertheless, full structural assessments will remain on hold until weather conditions clear up and local waters drop.
“Binabantayan natin ang panahon kasi kahit yung mga nasira, pag ayusin natin ngayon, bumalik naman niyan, at magkabaha, masisira ulit ang bagong gawa kayat napakasayang naman ang ating gagawin,” Marcos stated.