Marcos Blames Heavy Rain For Massive Flooding

The massive flooding that hit parts of the country was caused not only by issues involving flood control projects, but also by the unprecedented volume of rain brought by recent weather disturbances, President Marcos said on Monday, Aug. 24.

After a situation briefing with Central Luzon local officials in San Fernando, Pampanga, Marcos said heavy rains had overwhelmed the country’s flood management programs.

“We need to understand that this is not solely due to issues with the flood control project, but also the torrential rain – levels unprecedented in Philippine history. This is a result of climate change,” Marcos said.

He added that the government’s immediate efforts would include repairing destroyed facilities.

Marcos noted that the government is also eyeing long-term flood control projects, including the construction of river dams in Nueva Ecija and a long dike that could extend to Bataan.

“We have other projects in the pipeline. One long-term plan involves constructing a dike road – we are looking at a route extending all the way to Pilar, Bataan. That is the long-term plan. We are currently studying it. The route spans about a hundred kilometers, so it will take some time, but the study is already underway,” the President said.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 1.01 million people were affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng in Pampanga alone.

School reconstruction

Meanwhile, the Department of Education said at least P2.604 billion is needed to repair and reconstruct 1,616 schools damaged by the southwest monsoon and recent cyclones.

Of the amount, P2.245 billion is needed to reconstruct 898 schools while P359 million is required for major repairs of 718 schools.

During the situation briefing presided over by Marcos in Pampanga, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reported that more than 9,597 classrooms suffered damage, with Central Luzon accounting for 41 percent of the nationwide classroom damage.

The region had 3,596 damaged classrooms across 412 schools, affecting 126,584 learners. Pampanga reported the most damaged classrooms at 1,689, followed by Bulacan with 933.

“First and foremost, the marching order of our President Bongbong Marcos is to ensure the safety of our students and teachers, while we minimize disruption to their studies,” Angara said.

Angara said 1,066 classrooms in 291 schools nationwide are being used as evacuation centers for 9,068 displaced families. In Region 3, 237 classrooms in 78 schools are sheltering 1,951 displaced families.

“That’s why we immediately provided support to our schools—from cleaning to replacing damaged modules. We will not let the education of our youth be interrupted just because of the storm,” Angara added.

DepEd said it will tap its Disaster Preparedness and Response Program fund and a special budget request to the Department of Budget and Management. It will also partner with the Department of Labor and Employment through its “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers” program for campus cleanup and clearing efforts.

Regional and division offices have also begun emergency reprinting and procurement to replace 23,154 damaged self-learning modules.

Affected schools in Region 3 experienced up to 12 lost instructional days, particularly in Pampanga and Zambales.

DepEd is implementing its “4H” framework to guide learning delivery based on safety and local conditions.

The department has also proposed an updated executive order on class suspensions and resumptions to replace EO No. 66, s. 2012.

The proposed policy would allow school-level resumption of in-person classes in safe campuses during broader citywide suspensions, subject to safety assessments and local government concurrence. — With Andrew Ronquillo, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Evelyn Macairan, Bella Cariaso, Emmanuel Tupas