Philippines struggles with flood control amid typhoon season

The Philippines has faced significant challenges in flood control, particularly during the typhoon season. Despite the government allocating 1.14 trillion Philippine pesos ($20.3 billion) for flood mitigation since 2015, many projects remain incomplete. For instance, only one of the nine flagship flood control projects has been finished, with the Metro Manila Flood Management Project lagging behind despite a $415 million World Bank loan. This project aimed to rehabilitate 36 pumping stations and build 20 new ones, but only two stations have been updated so far. The geographical layout of Metro Manila, surrounded by mountains and coasts, exacerbates flooding issues, as surface runoff increases rapidly. Local residents, like Castillo from Marikina city, have experienced severe flooding for years, with homes often inundated. The government’s focus has primarily been on directing stormwater to Manila Bay and Laguna Lake, neglecting the need for a more holistic approach that considers ecological and hydrological factors. Critics have pointed out that flood control funding often appears as a last-minute addition to the national budget, raising concerns about potential corruption. The Marcos Jr administration has earmarked a significant portion of the budget for climate change expenditures, but there are calls for transparency and accountability in how these funds are utilized. As communities continue to suffer from flooding, schools frequently serve as evacuation centers, highlighting the urgent need for effective flood management strategies. The situation calls for a reevaluation of current practices to ensure that funds are directed towards legitimate climate adaptation programs rather than misappropriated.