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Philippines floods renew scrutiny of flood-control spending under Marcos
Metro Manila saw 201.7 mm of rain in five hours, as critics cited nearly 2 trillion pesos funneled into flood-control projects since 2011 without preventing recurring inundation.
The latest monsoon floods across Metro Manila and parts of Luzon have rekindled pressure on President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr over flood-control projects, with analysts pointing to renewed scrutiny of a reportedly slow investigation into allegedly substandard or non-existent works, according to SCMP Economy.
The storm brought intense rainfall, with Metro Manila recording 201.7 mm in just five hours on Monday. Residents reported severe disruption, including wading through floodwaters and stranded vehicles, and some areas that are not typically seen as flood-prone were inundated.
The renewed anger has also highlighted a perceived gap between Marcos’ anti-corruption messaging and the lack of visible improvements in communities facing repeated extreme-weather impacts, the outlet said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned why neighborhoods continue to be submerged year after year, citing that nearly 2 trillion pesos, or US$32.4 billion, has been spent on flood-control projects since 2011.