Senators call out Manila Bay reclamation for office flooding

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate compound was not spared from flooding, and lawmakers were quick to blame the suspended reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Wednesday shared videos of knee-deep flooding in front of the compound along Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City.

“This I believe is the consequence of all the reclamation happening in Manila Bay, wala nang malabasan ang flood water dito sa Pasay at Manila,” Zubiri said in a text message to Senate reporters.

“Babaha at babaha na palagi diyan sa atin tuwing uulan nang malakas,” Zubiri added.

[Translation: This, I believe, is the consequence of all the reclamation happening in Manila Bay. The floodwater has nowhere to go here in Pasay and Manila. It will keep flooding here every time it rains heavily.]

“This is another disaster,” he went on.

In August last year, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. suspended all reclamation projects except one, as lawmakers blamed these for the intense flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Senator Joel Villanueva, who comes from flood-prone Bulacan, also shared videos of inundated areas in his province, including his home at the Jesus Is Lord compound in Bocaue, Bulacan. Some portions of the North Luzon Expressway were impassable to all vehicles, while chest-deep floods were encountered in other residential areas.

“Reclamation pa more,” Villanueva said, with angry emojis.

“Imagine for the past 2 years (including this year) we have had this P1 billion a day flood control budget for DPWH alone, P1B a day. Please tell me if anyone here can see at least an improvement sa mga baha,” he said.

[Translation: Imagine for the past 2 years (including this year), we have had this P1 billion a day flood control budget for the DPWH alone, P1 billion a day. Please tell me if anyone here can see at least an improvement in the floods.]

He said the priority now is to rescue flood victims and provide them with food and other forms of assistance.

Metro Manila is under a state of calamity due to massive flooding. Batanes is under Signal No. 2, while other areas in Luzon are facing moderate to intense rains. – Eimor Santos