Amid Habagat floods, group calls for probe into flood control projects

Amid severe flooding brought on by the triple threat of Crising, the Habagat and low presure areas, Aksyon Klima Pilipinas (AKP) has called on a "legislative inquiry into the status and implementation of flood control projects throughout the country, and their effectiveness in mitigating flooding in their respective areas."

"These inquiries must be conducted in good faith and require responses from all implementing actors, such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and concerned local government units, with the ultimate goal of holding them accountable for any wrongdoings and identifying how to resolve the flooding problem," AKP added.

In a statement, the country's largest network of civil service organizations for climate action listed its four-point appeal, which also includes "a multi sectoral review of existing flood management master plans" to be led by the National and LocaL Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils and a "stronger implementation of national and local laws and policies for the protection, conservation, and restoration" of natural habitats including forests, mangroves and "avoiding mining and quarrying activities in areas that can lead to worse flooding."

AKP also demanded the enactment of the Climate Accountability Bill (CLIMA), "which would establish a framework to enhance corporate accountability for potential human rights violations caused by pollutive actions."

While acknowledging that the climate crisis is worsening, with temperatures breaching the 1.5C limit last year, AKP said full blame cannot be put on climate change.

"As a country that is visited by monsoons and experiences an average of 20 storms every year, there is no reason that communities should repeatedly see their streets submerged in floods time and again. There is no reason for families to keep worrying about their safety from such disasters that prevent them from meeting their socioeconomic needs," it said.

More than 1.4M people have been affected by Crising, rains brought by Habitat, and a low pressure area, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Wednesday. 

The death toll due to Crising, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, and the LPA increased from six to seven.

According to the MMDA Tuesday, more than 500 flood incidents were reported in Metro Manila alone. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation has called out the MRT Line 7 project contractors and the Skyway management over issues that allegedly contribute to the flooding in their concerned areas. — LA, GMA integrated News