PBBM on ‘Kristine’ flooding: Flood control present

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said flood-control projects were overwhelmed by the staggering amount of rainfall brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) that triggered massive flooding in several areas in Luzon.

Marcos made the pronouncement in response to those questioning and looking for the billions worth of flood control projects amid the severe flooding.

“Marami ang nagsasabi, nababasa ko sa dyaryo, naririnig ko sa radyo —nasaan daw ang mga flood control (projects)? Nandiyan ang flood control. Na-overwhelm lang (Many are saying, I read in the newspaper, I hear on the radio —where are the flood control projects? The flood control is there. They are just overwhelmed),” Marcos told reporters in an interview after his visit to Laurel, Batangas, one of the areas badly hit by the storm.

The President said Kristine’s rainfall nearly doubled those brought by Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) in 2009, which submerged many parts of the country, including Metro Manila.

He said typhoons are made stronger now by climate change.

“Nagbago talaga ang panahon, kaya ‘yung climate change na pinag-uusapan, nakikita na natin. Hindi na kailangan ipaliwanag. Unfortunately, nararamdaman na talaga natin sa sarili natin (The weather has really changed, so the climate change that we are talking about, we can already see it. No need to explain. Unfortunately, we already feel it in ourselves),” he added.

Marcos said he has no problem with the calls to investigate the flood control projects. However, he said they “have to realize there are two sides to this.”

“Talagang na-overwhelm ang flood control natin. May flood control tayo, hindi kaya. Hindi talaga kaya dahil sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas wala pang ganito, ngayon lang natin haharapin ito (Our flood control is really overwhelmed. We have flood control, just overwhelmed. It’s not really possible because in the entire history of the Philippines, there has never been anything like this, we’re just going to face it now),” he said.

“Kaya dapat maunawaan talaga ng tao, hindi lamang ‘yung budget kung hindi kung ano ‘yung science (So people should really understand, not just the budget but) what’s the science, follow the science. See what’s happening.”

Gov’t aid

The President is in Laurel, Batangas to lead the distribution of government assistance to the typhoon victims.

Housing materials worth over PHP3 million were given to 200 families courtesy of Metrobank and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Meanwhile, the President also handed PHP10 million to the local government of Laurel —of the total PHP60 million handed to six hard-hit towns in the province.

Likewise, 10 select beneficiaries were given PHP10,000 cash aid.