PH’s flood woes due to decades-old failures, neglect, and not just Marcos’ fault

September 1, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The country’s perennial flooding problem is due to failures in urban planning, flood control, and neglect, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro said the floods that hit wide swathes of Luzon cannot be pinned on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. alone.

She said shortcomings in flood mitigation piled up over several administrations.

“Ayaw nating magkaroon ng turuan kung sino ang may kasalanan o kung sino iyong gumagawa ng trabaho dahil hindi po ito sa kasalukuyan o sa nakaraang tatlong taon ang sanhi ng problema,” Castro said.

She said Marcos inherited these problems, such as neglect and ghost infrastructure projects. The President has directed government agencies to resolve these woes.

“Sa ngayon po ay kailangang walisin, linisin ng Pangulo ang mga nagawang pagkukulang noong mga nakaraang administrasyon,” the Palace executive added.

She made the remarks when asked to comment on the perennial flooding in Bulacan and Pampanga, even with local political families in government posts in these areas.

Castro said the immediate priority should be flood mitigation measures, instead of pointing accusing fingers at local officials, who also have the responsibility to enforce and take care of flood control projects.