The residents especially in low-lying areas, who have to contend with rising floodwaters, evacuation to higher ground, vulnerability to leptospirosis and other potentially deadly diseases from wading in contaminated waters, and miserable, disrupted lives from the recurring disaster almost year-round.
But believe it or not, it does appear the politicians are the ones who really like floods, because they are given the opportunity to secure multi-million peso projects for flood control that ultimately lead to never-ending floods because the funds ultimately end up in private pockets.
Indeed, how many flood control projects have really worked, particularly in Central Luzon and parts of the National Capital Region, two areas where floods continue to wreak havoc on the lives mainly of ordinary people for many decades now.
Now here comes another 50-year drainage masterplan drawn up for the metropolis by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that was recently approved by the World Bank, which will provide a loan for its implementation.
“Our current drainage systems are no longer designed to accommodate such a huge volume of water in Metro Manila,” according to the MMDA.
The master plan, we’re told, part of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project, would remain “relevant and efficient” as it would last for 50 years.
The Department of Public Works and Highways will take part in the construction of the system.
Will this work? We really don’t know, until after the project is completed half-a-century from now.
Our immediate concern, however, is the here and now.
Next year’s proposed national budget contains P225 billion for flood control.
You would probably think this is a small amount to spend for flood control throughout the country, but Sen. Francis Escudero doesn’t think so.
In fact, he considers the amount “too big” for “tubig.”
The lawmaker believes the amount is larger than what is being recommended for building new classrooms, hospitals, irrigation systems, and railway constructions.
He pointed out that flood control even beat the railway budget by over a P100 billion.
The railway budget is only P153 billion and irrigation is at P31 billion.
And flood control is bigger than the entire agriculture budget, which will be allocated P181 billion in 2024.
Escudero is bothered and bewildered no end how the executive branch can justify the need to spend more for flood control compared to planting for food security.
We are as flummoxed as he is, and can somebody in the DWPH explain to all and sundry why P225 billion for flood control for one year isn’t throwing good money after bad?