Manila: A senator on Monday called for the creation of a comprehensive national flood management plan and a full accounting of public funds allocated for flood control projects nationwide. In a statement, Sen. Francis Pangilinan highlighted the impact of the southwest monsoon, known locally as "habagat," which has triggered flooding in several parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. This has forced thousands of residents to evacuate and disrupted classes, work, transportation, and other daily activities over the past week.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pangilinan emphasized that flooding should not be treated as a normal occurrence and urged the government to pursue long-term solutions to protect communities. He expressed concern that Filipinos continue to rely heavily on emergency responses during calamities instead of benefiting from proactive and coordinated flood management measures.

Pangilinan called for the establishment of a long-term national flood management plan, stressing the need for interconnected projects and plans. He pointed out that without interconnectivity, even substantial financial investments would not resolve flood problems. "Even if we spend billions of pesos, flood problems will not be solved if there is no interconnectivity," Pangilinan stated.

The senator advocated for a national flood management plan that is preventive, science-based, and transparent, focusing on long-term solutions rather than short-term responses. He also called for a complete accounting of flood control funds, detailing the projects funded, their locations, costs, contractors, implementation status, and actual results on the ground.

Pangilinan further noted that the plan must address not only current flooding problems but also future risks arising from climate change and other environmental concerns.