President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to explore the possibility of constructing additional containment structures for watersheds in the Sierra Madre area to mitigate flooding and minimize environmental damage.

During an interview with the media in Marikina City, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the President has tasked him to study the project.

Bonoan explained that the DPWH will conduct feasibility studies and may seek funding assistance from the Japanese government for the proposed initiative.

On Monday, President Marcos visited Marikina City to inspect the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) at the Marikina Bridge Under Loop in Barangay Santo Niño. The project aims to improve the natural drainage system of Metro Manila to mitigate flooding.

“In the meantime, the President has instructed us to look into possible containment structures of watersheds of Sierra Madre. Pag-aaralan namin kung ano ang mga pwedeng gagawin namin,” Bonoan said.

Bonoan said the completion of Phase IV of the PMRCIP will enhance flood mitigation measures in Marikina, Montalban, and Metro Manila. The DPWH is also completing work on the Marikina Control Gate Structure (MCGS).

Bonoan said Phase IV of the PMRCIP is projected to be finished by 2028, while the MCGS is expected to be completed by 2029 or 2030.

The President also inspected the installation of culvert pipes at the corner of Sumulong Highway and McDonald’s Avenue, in Marikina City. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday that the government is considering a waste-to-energy project in the City of Manila as a pilot program to address waste management and flooding issues.

During a press conference in Malacañang, President Marcos said the waste-to-energy project could later be expanded to other urban areas, emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal in ensuring that pumping stations function effectively and preventing urban flooding.

“We have a proposal for a waste-to-energy solution in the City of Manila. I think that will go on, but that’s only for Manila,” President Marcos said.

“Itutuloy natin, titingnan natin kung maganda ang lumabas doon. And if that’s the case, then that’s what we will do with other parts of at least Metro Manila sa una or the other urban areas na nababaha,” the President added.

President Marcos said the accumulation of garbage has clogged pumping stations, rendering them ineffective during heavy rains.

“Pag ‘yung basura naman ay natapon, nabara ‘yung bomba, nabara ‘yung estero, nabara lahat… wala rin silbi ‘yung pumping station,” said the President.

“It simply doesn’t work until we have a solution to the garbage problem,” the President stressed. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public on Monday that the welfare of the people will always come first, in case individuals close to him will be implicated of irregularities in flood control projects during the government audit.

In a press conference held at Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall, President Marcos underscored that the government will pursue the investigation of questionable flood control projects but will avoid making hasty and unfounded accusations.

“This is something that is, I think, absolutely necessary. We have to clean our ranks,” the President said during the launch of the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website.

“It might be a little painful. Baka masangkot diyan ‘yung mga tao na malapit sa atin. Ngunit kahit malapit sila sa atin, mas malapit naman siguro sa puso natin ‘yung taong-bayan kaya sila ang uunahin natin,” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive launched the website, sumbongsapangulo.ph, and shared the initial findings of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) review of flood control projects under the Marcos administration.

President Marcos urged other public officials to be circumspect about accusing others of corruption in flood control projects without evidence.

The Chief Executive explained that the ongoing review will involve multiple agencies, including the Department of Development (DEPDev), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Office of the President.

Acknowledging that the public’s feedback will be a vital part of the investigation, the President urged the public to use the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website to report any irregularities in the flood control projects in their areas.

“Ngayon mayroon na kayong malalapitan. Ito, ang lalapitan na ngayon ninyo, ako mismo. Dahil ako ang titingin dito araw-araw sa website natin at babasahin ko ang report na ibibigay ng taumbayan,” President Marcos said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday inspected an infrastructure improvement project in Marikina City aimed at enhancing the natural drainage system and addressing the flooding problems in Metro Manila.

President Marcos examined Phase IV of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) at the Marikina Bridge Under Loop in Barangay Santo Niño.

The President was accompanied by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes, Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo, Marikina 1st District Representative Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, and Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann Teodoro.

The President also inspected the installation of culvert pipes at the corner of Sumulong Highway and McDonald’s Avenue in Marikina City.

The DPWH is implementing Phase IV of the PMRCIP with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project aims to reduce flooding in Metro Manila through upgraded infrastructure and sustainable river management.

Phase IV includes dike construction, floodgate installation, and channel dredging—key measures to protect communities and strengthen the region’s flood control systems, according to the DPWH.

The Pasig-Marikina River serves as the primary natural drainage system for the National Capital Region, encompassing a total catchment area of 635 square kilometers. It runs through the center of Metro Manila before merging into Manila Bay.

To address flooding challenges, the DPWH has developed a Master Plan for Flood Control and Drainage Improvement in Metro Manila, which includes a feasibility study for the Pasig-Marikina River, with technical assistance from JICA. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday affirmed the Philippines will continue to uphold and defend its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, following the latest incident where a Filipino vessel was hit by water cannon near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal, off the coast of Zambales.

“What will happen here is we will continue to be present. We will continue to defend our territory. We will continue to exercise our sovereign rights. And despite any opposition from anyone, we will continue to do that as we have done in the past three years,” President Marcos said in a press conference in Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall.

“We have never instructed any of our vessels to back out,” the Chief Executive added.

President Marcos made his remarks following reports that a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship used its water cannon against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel in Bajo de Masinloc early Monday.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said the BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) was targeted with a water cannon, but the PCG crew members’ seamanship skills enabled the vessel to successfully evade being hit.

BRP Suluan and another PCG ship, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, along with government-owned MV Pamamalakaya, were in Bajo de Masinloc to carry out the “Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) initiative for some 35 Filipino fishing vessels in the area.

KBBM is an ongoing program by the Marcos administration to directly buy catches from Filipino fishermen to promote food security and maritime development in the West Philippine Sea.

During the operation, Philippine vessels and fishermen encountered hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions from other nearby vessels, Tarriela said in a statement.

President Marcos emphasized that Philippine authorities will remain on a defensive stance in the West Philippine Sea.

“We will stop doing it when the threat stops. Tigil na ‘yung mga threats. We can all sit more safely at home. And mas magiging magaan ang kalooban natin kapag ganoon ang sitwasyon,” the President added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website on Monday, urging citizens to fulfill their civic duty by directly reporting to him any nonoperational or anomalous flood control projects in their areas.

The website, sumbongsapangulo.ph, was created in line with the President’s order during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to investigate irregularities in flood control projects in light of repeated widespread flooding during the typhoon season.

President Marcos said the government would take action against all those found to be involved in corruption and embezzlement of public funds in flood control projects.

In a press conference in Malacañan Palace on Monday, President Marcos underscored the public’s important role in the investigation, noting that ordinary citizens are most affected by flooding.

“We need the citizens to play their part, their civic duty to report to the government what they see as being wrong,” President Marcos said.

“Lahat ng hinaing ninyo- masama loob ninyo, nagrereklamo kayo, frustrated kayo dahil nakikita ninyo wala naman kayong malapitan. Ito na ‘yung chance ninyo. Mayroon na tayong website,” the President added.

“Ang isusulat ninyo doon sa report, ako mismo ang babasa. ’Yan ang asahan ninyo, babasahin ko bawat isa,” President Marcos stressed.

The Chief Executive said the website is accessible and easy to use.

“Basta ilagay ninyo ‘yung barangay ninyo at lalabas na lahat ng flood control project,” President Marcos said.

Based on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) report, around 9,000 flood control projects have been undertaken in the past three years.

The President said the investigation would greatly benefit from information provided directly by concerned residents, including photos and videos.

“So, that’s why we are asking people to help us and to help themselves. Dahil kung maaayos natin ito, hindi na sila babahain o at least not as badly as they are now,” said President Marcos.

The website features an interactive map that allows the public to locate flood control projects in their area, either by using the search box or by clicking on the color indicators displayed on the map.

The website categorized the projects by year of completion using color coding.

Details provided for each project include project name, approved budget, contract cost, legislative district, contractor, exact location, start date, funding year, and completion date.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed the proposal from Ramon Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, to desilt the Metro Manila waterways as part of efforts to address recurrent flooding.

However, President Marcos emphasized that desilting should go hand in hand with local government unit-led waste management solutions.

Ang proposed to tackle the flooding issue in Metro Manila without imposing any cost on the government or the public.

“I always said the private sector needs to be part of everything, of our national development,” President Marcos said in a press briefing in Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall during the launching of a government website for flood control projects.

“Now, ‘yung proposal ni Ramon Ang is also certainly very welcome because, you know, we’ve seen his projects. Maganda naman ang mga nagiging resulta.”

The President pointed out that local government units, particularly in the National Capital Region, must address the garbage problem.

President Marcos emphasized that desilting efforts will not work until there is a lasting solution to the garbage problem, and mentioned a proposal for a waste-to-energy facility in the City of Manila and possibly other areas.

The Chief Executive said the country’s taipans could be counted on to support government initiatives.

“And this is not anything new. The so-called taipans of the country pagka mayroon tayong gustong gawin, nag-o-offer talaga sila. Kaya marami silang naitutulong,” the President said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. disclosed on Monday that an initial review found that PhP100 billion worth of 20 percent of all flood control projects in the past three years were undertaken by 15 contractors.

Citing the preliminary report of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), President Marcos said PhP545 billion in public funds went to flood control projects nationwide since July 2022.

“I don’t know about you, but that is a very big number. By any measure, that is an enormous number,” the President said in a press conference in Malacañang.

The DPWH identified a total of 2,409 contractors for both local and national flood control projects.

“However, this is another disturbing assessment, statistic: 20 percent of the entire 545 billion budget napunta lang sa 15 na contractors. Sa 15 na contractor na ‘yan, lima sa kanila ay may kontrata sa buong Pilipinas,” said the Chief Executive.

President Marcos ordered the ongoing audit to investigate further why 20 percent of flood control projects went to only 15 contractors.

“That for me was the one that stood out very much. Five of these contractors had projects in almost the entire country. So those are the ones that immediately pop out na sa aking palagay ay kailangan natin tingnan,” said the President.

Recalling his term as Ilocos Norte governor, President Marcos said that local government units (LGUs) hire local contractors to ensure closer coordination and faster implementation of public works projects.

The President encouraged the public to provide information, as he emphasized that the DPWH has only provided initial findings on the review of flood control projects so far.

“We are not accusing anyone of anything yet. However, it gives us an idea of what, how this has been conducted. So, I hope the people will take advantage of this. And as I said, there is always a way for them to give their comments,” President Marcos said.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, the Chief Executive ordered an audit of flood control projects under his administration, as he denounced the corruption that caused people to suffer from recurring flash floods during heavy rains. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged more Filipinos to use the eGovPH app, which is as easy to use as popular social media apps.

The President said that during the development of the eGovPH app, he gave instructions on simplifying the app so that a non-tech-savvy person would be able to use the app for easier and more convenient government transactions.

“I made sure while, noong sinusulat pa ‘yung code diyan, ang test ko lagi, ang sinasabi ko, kailangan isimple ninyo, isimple ninyo. Kailangan napakadali,” President Marcos said in the BBM Podcast Episode 3 aired on Thursday.

A government study has estimated that 89 million Filipinos use Facebook.

“So, sabi ko dapat ‘yung app natin, ‘yung eGov app natin, kung kaya mo mag-Facebook, kaya mo mag-eGov app,” President Marcos said.

“So, hindi na kailangan masyadong turuan. Ang kailangan lang nating gawin ngayon ay ipaalam sa tao na may ganito.”

The eGovPH app consolidates several government services into a single mobile phone platform to make transactions more convenient and efficient, which aligns with President Marcos’ directive to improve public service delivery.

“Because that’s the only way to do it. You cannot operate in 2025 na kinakamay-kamay mo ang forms, pupunta-punta ka sa opisina,” President Marcos said.

“Huwag na kayong pupunta sa opisina. ‘Yung mga nakakatanda, ‘yung mga hindi masyadong sanay sa computer, kahit na grade school (student), alam na nilang gawin ‘yan,” President Marcos added.

The Chief Executive reiterated the government’s program to expand online transactions, saying the Philippines has to attain a higher level of digitalization to be competitive and do business with other countries.

“It’s absolutely imperative now that children know how to use a computer, they know how to use the internet, and they know how to do work on the internet. Hindi na puwedeng hindi. It’s not an option anymore,” said the President. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday asked China to give advance notice of potential rocket debris falling within Philippine territory from China-launched rockets.

President Marcos said the Philippines has no interest in China’s rockets and has offered to retrieve any rocket debris and return them to China.

At the Kapihan sa Media forum in Bengaluru, India, President Marcos said China did not commit violations related to the launch of the Long March 12 rocket on August 4, when suspected rocket debris fell near Palawan.

“It’s not the first time that this has happened. And, actually, if you look at the incidents, they did not commit any violations. There have been no casualties,” said the President.

“We just wish that perhaps they could warn us a little earlier so that we know the path of the rocket, where the path is and kung magbibitaw sila ng stages kung saan babagsak,” the President pointed out.

President Marcos said during his visit to Beijing in 2023, he offered to China’s President Xi Jinping that Filipinos could help retrieve the debris and return them to China.

“I remember in my trip to Beijing early on, that I told President Xi, ‘You know, we have no interest in your rockets. Just tell us where they will land, we will collect it and give it to you,” the President said.

“And that continues to be my offer to China. Hindi n’yo kailangan agawin sa amin ‘yan. Saka anong gagawin namin d’yan? Sabihan nyo kami kung saan dadaan yung rocket. ‘Pag may babagsak, kukunin namin sa dagat tapos dadalhin namin sa inyo. Wala namang problema,” President Marcos said.

“The good side to all of this, wala naming casualty. Wala naming tinamaan. Hindi naman nagka-problema,” the President noted. | PND