Marcos OK with lawmakers scrutinizing flood control projects

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is amenable to the plan of lawmakers to look into the government's flood control projects following the massive inundation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

In an ambush interview in Laurel, Batangas on Monday, Marcos, however, pointed out that the country's flood control projects were ''overwhelmed'' by Kristine's downpour. He said these massive floods did not happen before. 

''Oo, Sige! Wala akong problema. But also they have to realize there are two sides to this. Sinasabi 'yung flood control-- talagang na-overwhelm ang flood control natin. May flood control tayo, hindi kaya,'' he said. 

(Yes, I don't have a problem with that. But they also have to realize there are two sides to this. Our flood control projects were overwhelmed. We have flood control but they were overwhelmed.)

''Hindi talaga kaya dahil sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas wala pang ganito, ngayon lang natin haharapin ito. Kaya dapat maunawaan talaga ng tao, hindi lamang 'yung budget kung hindi kung ano 'yung science, what's the science, follow the science. See what's happening," he added.

(In our history, we only experienced this now. Therefore, people should really understand that it's not just about the budget but also the science behind it, follow the science. See what's happening.)

Asked if there is a need for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to review or implement a moratorium on development projects to ease floods, Marcos said this phenomenon could be attributed more to climate change. 

''Well, that’s always been the problem but it’s not been as severe as it is now. And again, it’s climate change. It’s something that never happened before and it is something that we have to deal with. There’s no other way,'' he said. 

''It’s something that we have to deal with. We have to be smarter. We have to be more technologically aware of what is available so that we can reduce the effects,'' he added. 

Marcos then vowed to improve the country's infrastructures and flood control programs to mitigate floods. He tasked concerned agencies to revisit the Flood Control Masterplan.

The government is already assessing the Bayuyungan Bridge and the roads in Agoncillo, which were damaged by Kristine, according to the President.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier disclosed that senators would question concerned agencies on its budget allocation for flood control projects as several areas had been submerged in water due to Kristine.

“I expect that this will be brought up during the budget deliberations of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DSWD, [and the] DND/OCD,” Escudero said in a statement.—AOL, GMA Integrated News