PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he would not block any probe into the government’s flood control projects after many areas of the country were submerged during the recent onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
During his visit to Batangas, one of the provinces badly hit by the storm, the President also said “there are two sides” to the flooding problem.
”They have to realize there are two sides to this. The flood control … our flood control was really overwhelmed. We have flood control, but it couldn’t keep up,” Marcos told reporters in Filipino and English in a chance interview and argued that the country has never experienced flooding of epic proportions as it has as of late.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and families in Talisay, Batangas. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
“We’ve only experienced this now. People should really understand that it’s not just about the budget but also the science behind it. Let’s follow the science. See what’s happening,” he added.
His sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, was one of those who demanded a full accounting and transparency of the P132 billion funding for flood control projects in the Bicol Region, one of the hardest hit by floods.
The President insisted that massive floods are not isolated to the Philippines alone but are also happening globally due to climate change.
“Look, it’s not just here. Have you seen what happened in Spain? Do you see what’s been happening in other places? It’s also happening in the (United) States. These things have also been happening there,” he said.
“So, what we’ll do, we will change the design, strengthen the infrastructure, the flood control, the slope protection, and even the bridges. We must change all of them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Marcos instructed the Department of Science and Technology to improve its warning systems and establish a standard procedure for the gradual release of water from dams before typhoons to reduce flood risks.
He also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and other agencies to revise their flood control masterplans and expand the capacity of infrastructure to handle increasing flood risks and their effects.
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