Marcos says he has no problem with flood control project probe

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he has no problem with flood control projects being investigated following severe flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

He said this on Monday after leading the aid distribution to families, fishermen, and farmers affected by the storm in Batangas.

“Oo, sige! Wala akong problema (Yes, okay! I have no problem with it),” Marcos replied when asked if he was open to lawmakers examining government flood control projects in the budget deliberations.

READ: Marcos pledges P25M to assist Batanes families hit by Typhoon Julian

“But also they have to realize there are two sides to this. Sinasabi ‘yung flood control — talagang na-overwhelm and flood control natin. May flood control tayo, hindi kaya,” he added.

(But they also have to realize there are two sides to this. They say that the flood control was overwhelmed. We have flood control, but it’s not enough.)

“Hindi talaga kaya dahil sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas wala pang ganito, ngayon lang natin haharapin ito. Kaya dapat maunawaan talaga ng tao, hindi lamang ‘yung budget kung hindi kung ano ‘yung science, what’s the science? Follow the science. See what’s happening,” he continued.

(We really can’t handle it because, throughout the history of the Philippines, there has never been anything like this; we’re facing it now for the first time. That’s why people should truly understand the budget and what the science is—what’s the science? Follow the science. See what’s happening.)

He added that the intense flooding in the Philippines is not isolated, as it is also being experienced in other countries due to climate change.

“Tingnan ninyo, hindi lamang dito. Nakita niyo ba yung nangyari sa España? Nakita niyo ba ‘yung mga nangyayari sa iba’t-ibang lugar? Sa States, ‘yung mga nangyayari, ganoon din. Doon din sa mga lugar na yun ay ngayon lang nangyari ‘yan,” he said.

(Look, it’s not just here. Did you see what happened in Spain? Did you see what’s happening in different places? In America, the same things are happening. In those places, it has only happened now.)

“Kaya ang gagawin natin, babaguhin natin ang mga design, patitibayin natin ang mga infrastructure, mga flood control, ‘yung mga slope protection, pati ‘yung mga tulay,” he added.

(So what we will do is change the designs, strengthen the infrastructure, the flood control, the slope protection, and even the bridges.)

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in a statement last October 25, said senators would probe the government’s flood control programs in the plenary debates on the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget.

This was in relation to the intense flooding brought by Kristine, which submerged various areas in the country and left millions worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture, as well as loss of life.

Meanwhile, last October 30, Sen. Imee Marcos also demanded a full accounting of the P132 billion Bicol flood control budget following the widespread flooding in the region due to Kristine.

READ: NDRRMC: Reported deaths due to Kristine climb to 146

The number of reported deaths due to Kristine climbed to 146, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said last November 2.

In its 8 a.m. situational report, the NDRRMC said 20 deaths were validated, and Region 5 logged the highest tally with 15 validated deaths.