Cardinal laments flooding despite billions already spent

MANILA, Philippines — The country is facing an absurd situation where some of the most heavily flooded communities are also places where billions have supposedly been spent for controversial flood control projects, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said yesterday.

“Now imagine having to spend billions more – not to build new infrastructure, but to demolish or correct flood control structures that should never have been built that way in the first place,” David said on Facebook.

He made the statement amid the flooding experienced in many areas in the country.

“Citizens of this country, let us unite. We have nothing to lose but our misery. Go to bisto.ph and join the citizens’ ground validation of government infrastructure projects. Register as a volunteer,” David said.

“Take photographs. Document what you see. If possible, bring engineers, architects, environmental planners or other knowledgeable citizens who can help assess the work. Submit your findings to the Bisto Proyekto advocacy initiative,” he added.

He said “let the evidence lead to investigation, prosecution and accountability.”

David added that the country cannot solve an ecological problem merely by pouring more concrete.

“We have to restore watersheds, protect rivers and wetlands, manage our waste, plan our cities intelligently, prepare for rising seas and a changing climate – and make every infrastructure project part of a coherent, science-based master plan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos prayed for protection and peace amid rains brought by the southwest monsoon.

“Livelihoods have been washed away, families displaced, homes destroyed and entire neighborhoods submerged. Lord, look with mercy upon Your people. We beg You: stretch out Your mighty hand and calm the rains. Hold back the floods. Strengthen the land. Protect our communities. Guard every family, every child, every worker, every rescuer and every soul caught in danger,” Santos prayed.