Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is willing to consider “sensible” recommendations from the Duterte camp on how to combat flooding, but stressed that the previous administration must first account for more than 13,000 flood control projects it had implemented.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro responded to Davao City acting mayor Baste Duterte’s criticism of Marcos, particularly his remarks that flood control initiatives have turned into “ghost projects.”
“President Marcos has been continuously working to resolve the issue of anomalous flood control projects. But comments like this from them with no suggestions given to resolve the problem are not helpful to the people,” Castro said. She emphasized that the President is open to listening to “sensible suggestions.”
Castro also urged the Dutertes to explain the 13,917 projects carried out under former president Rodrigo Duterte. “What they can do to help is inform the people about the 13,917 flood control projects of the previous administration so that everyone knows if they exist, are operational, are they effective in the flood problem and if we are feeling these projects now and in previous years,” she added.
Baste Duterte earlier claimed that Davao City has its own flood control plans while slamming the national government for allegedly underfunding infrastructure efforts over the past three years.
During his State of the Nation Address on July 28, Marcos ordered a full audit of flood control programs under his watch, condemning corruption in the sector and vowing accountability amid worsening flash floods during heavy rains.
