Unbearable and unacceptable floods

The relentless habagat rains over the long weekend once again left many areas underwater, with images of flooded communities filling news reports and social media platforms. It was a scene Filipinos have witnessed far too often, year after year. This time, it seems that we know better. This time, the public response carried a stronger sense of frustration and accountability.

The flooding reignited scrutiny over corruption and the persistent shortcomings of flood control projects, particularly as questions resurfaced about the billions of pesos allocated to these initiatives over the years.

In its most recent update dated Sept. 1, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said an estimated 9.1 million individuals were affected by the combined effects of tropical cyclones and the habagat. Flooding was reported in more than 600 areas across seven regions. In Tarlac, two bridges collapsed while several houses in Pampanga were washed away as floodwater overflowed after a dam was clogged with debris. Leptospirosis cases have been on the rise throughout August – with more expected to be reported in the coming days.

I have written several opinion pieces on flooding and disaster preparedness, and I intend to continue doing so. If these efforts help more Filipinos understand the extent of the impact of mishandled billions of Filipino taxpayers’ money and strengthen calls for accountability, then the discussion remains worth having.

When funds meant to protect communities and improve lives end up in the pockets of those who abuse their positions, the consequences are felt in flooded homes, lost livelihoods, damaged businesses and lives cut short. Worse, it deepens a sense of distrust that is difficult to repair.

The extent of flooding in the country has simply become too unbearable and unacceptable. Filipinos have every reason to be angry and every right to demand answers from those entrusted with public funds and public welfare.

I still vividly remember the great flood of the early 1970s. I was in Grade 2 when large parts of Luzon were submerged. We were living in Makati then, when it was still part of Rizal province. Classes were suspended for days. We had no electricity and floodwaters entered our home. More than five decades later, I find it troubling that many Filipinos are still telling the same stories, only now on social media instead of around the dinner table.

To understand how to move forward, we can take a page from the playbook of those that have implemented successful and effective flood control projects such as the Netherlands, Japan and Singapore. These are countries that have shown how good governance, advanced engineering partnered with natural design and public cooperation can protect millions from floods.

Any new flood control project – and any effort to rehabilitate existing infrastructure – must be carried out with complete transparency and rigorous public oversight. Filipinos have the right to know where their money is going and whether these projects are truly delivering results.

In a previous column on flood control, I emphasized that we cannot just keep on building dikes or clearing out drainage. We must look at flood control as a holistic undertaking that should be integrated with urban planning and developed not only with engineering standards in mind, but also long-term viability, climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

I must emphasize, however, that flood control is about more than building quality infrastructure. One issue that immediately comes to mind is our continuing problem with littering. We cannot expect drainage systems and waterways to function properly if they are clogged with garbage.

The solution to this is obvious – most of us were taught from an early age to dispose of our trash properly. Convenience, carelessness or the assumption that someone else will clean up after us cannot be excuses. While government has the responsibility to provide and maintain the necessary infrastructure, citizens also have a duty to help keep our communities clean and our waterways clear.

Next, both the national government and local government units should strictly enforce zoning policies so that houses and other establishments are not built on top of creeks, near rivers and dams, or in areas declared as danger zones. Such practices not only cause and worsen flooding but also endanger lives. With severe flooding becoming a recurring problem, it’s high time for LGUs to revisit zoning plans and see if there are families and establishments that need to be relocated to safer areas.

Flood control should not be treated as a one-time project, but as a continuing collective responsibility. Beyond infrastructure and behavioral discipline, we must also invest in disaster preparedness. Protocols on class suspensions and onsite work should be revisited to prioritize the safety and well-being of people. The impact of rain and flooding on our communities has worsened over the years, and we must ensure that our practices adapt to these changes.

I have lived in Metro Manila all my life, and for as long as I can remember, flooding has been a recurring part of our reality. Having witnessed it for decades, am I frustrated? Absolutely. It is difficult not to be when the same scenes of submerged communities, disrupted livelihoods and preventable suffering play out year after year.

But do I think it is hopeless? No. I refuse to accept that this is simply our fate as a nation. There are solutions that exist, other countries have proved that. What has been lacking is not knowledge or technology, but the collective resolve to do what is necessary and to do it consistently, competently and most importantly- honestly. If we can find that resolve, then perhaps future generations of Filipinos will no longer have to endure the same struggles that my generation has lived with for most of our lives.