President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday turned over PhP371.8 million to Zamboanga Peninsula under the Socio-Civic Project Funds (SCPF)-Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program.

The funds were received by the Provincial Governments of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and the City Government of Zamboanga.

“Palagay ko maraming-marami tayong matutulungan, ‘yung mga naghihirap,” President Marcos said during the event at the Western Mindanao State University gym. “Bibigyan natin, matutulungan natin ‘yung mga may problema, at kahit papaano maramdaman ang serbisyo na ipinadala ng pamahalaan.”

The national government releases funds directly to the local government units (LGUs) under the SCPF to accelerate the implementation of government projects and ensure the timely and efficient delivery of local assistance.

Under the SCPF- Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program, each barangay receives PhP200,000, with the PhP100,000 intended for education, while the other PhP100,000 is allocated for locally identified projects.

The administration is focusing on the Zamboanga Peninsula because of the region’s persistent poverty, exacerbated by its vulnerability to disasters.

The region has high poverty and subsistence incidence, as well as an elevated level of college attrition rate in Academic Year 2024–2025.

Additionally, it has high disaster and climate vulnerability, with frequent earthquakes, floods, and landslides, and climate variability that repeatedly disrupts livelihoods and damages infrastructure.

As of 25 June 2026, the SCPF-Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program has released PhP200,000 checks to every barangay, totaling PhP3.55 billion.

Overall, 17,769 barangays have received the support. – PND

For struggling families, vulnerable individuals, and people living on the streets in Zamboanga City, the opening of the government’s Walang Gutom Kitchen offers more than free meals—it provides hope, relief from daily expenses, and access to other social services aimed at helping them rebuild their lives.

Cindy Tabala, 22, is happy that the government is opening the Walang Gutom Kitchen in Zamboanga City, as it will be a big help to the less fortunate families and individuals.

Cindy, who is pregnant with her second child, is a plain housewife and unemployed.

A resident of Zamboanga City, she said that only her husband works to provide for the family, and they don’t own a house.

“Malaking tulong po sa amin ito (kitchen) kasi ang mister ko lang ang nagtatrabaho. Makakabawas ito sa gastusin namin sa bahay at makakapagbigay pa ng maayos na nutrisyon, lalo na sa anak ko,” Tabala said. “Maraming salamat po kay President BBM sa pagkakaroon ng ganitong programa ng DSWD.”

Princess Samantha Fabian, a DSWD social welfare officer, said she expects the kitchen’s launching to help more people in the city, especially those who are vulnerable and homeless.

She said it is part of the DSWD initiatives to encourage street dwellers to register for the Pag-abot Program, which aims to facilitate the grant of assistance to beneficiaries through the help of various stakeholders.

“Dito, ma-a-avail nila ang libreng masustansyang pagkain, agahan at tanghalian. Makakatulong ito lalo na sa mga mahihirap na pamilya at yung mga nakatira sa lansangan,” she said.

Through the kitchen launching, she said the government could also encourage street dwellers to avail of the program, facilitating their return to their community of origin with the help of other agencies and local government units (LGUs).

The Zamboanga City kitchen, launched by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is the third WGK facility in the Philippines and is located in a central urban area.

It can serve 150 to 200 people per meal service (breakfast and lunch) per day.

The facility has a registration area, waiting area, holding area, mess hall, serving counter, storage rooms, kitchen area, Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, reading corner, and Pag-abot Program Desk, and comfort rooms.

The Marcos administration is intensifying efforts to address hunger, as recent data shows increasing involuntary hunger in the Philippines.

In Mindanao, however, involuntary hunger stood at 21.7 percent of families in March 2026, a decline from 26.7 percent in November 2025. PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday personally launched his administration’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative in Sulu, providing rice assistance to 3,000 beneficiaries and introducing a scholarship program for 2,050 students across the province.

Speaking before residents at the Sultan Jamalul Kiram Central School Gymnasium in Barangay Lawn, Maimbung, President Marcos said the program is funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which he said his administration reformed to allow local government units to directly implement assistance programs.

“Ang pangarap ko talaga ay wala nang magugutom na Pilipino,” the President said, noting that the program prioritizes poor and near-poor families.

Under the initiative, 3,000 beneficiaries in Sulu will each receive 10 kilograms of rice every two months, or six times a year.

“Ito po ay hindi minsanan lang. Magbibigay kami ng sako ng bigas anim na beses sa buong taon,” President Marcos said.

The President said the LGSF now enables governors and mayors to identify qualified beneficiaries, replacing the previous centralized process that delayed the delivery of assistance.

President Marcos said local governments are in the best position to determine the needs of their constituents and ensure faster distribution of government support.

The President also launched the Socio-Civic Program Fund (SCPF), under which each of the country’s barangays receives P200,000 in assistance.

Half of the fund, or P100,000, is allotted for scholarships, while the remaining amount may be used by barangays for projects that address their most urgent community needs.

A total of 2,050 students from the province’s 410 barangays in 19 municipalities were named Presidential Scholars under the program.

Each barangay will select five deserving students who will receive P20,000 each to help them complete their education.

“Mag-aral kayo nang mabuti,” President Marcos told the scholars during an orientation before the distribution of assistance.

The President urged barangay officials to prioritize students at risk of dropping out due to financial difficulties.

All 19 mayors of Sulu attended the event in support of the administration’s initiatives.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan described the President’s visit as historic and said the people of Sulu continue to aspire for lasting peace and development.

President Marcos assured residents that the government would continue expanding the program to reach more Filipinos in need.

“Asahan ninyo, hindi po titigil ito, patuloy po ito hangga’t masabi na natin na lahat ng ating mga kababayang nangangailangan ay natulungan natin at nabigyan ng kaunting ginhawa para maging mas maganda ang kanilang buhay,” the President said.

President Marcos added that the government would continue working closely with local government units to ensure assistance reaches communities quickly and efficiently.

The President said that improving coordination between national and local governments remains central to his administration’s efforts to uplift the lives of Filipinos.- PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday inaugurated the new headquarters and support facilities of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 9B in Maimbung, Sulu, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement and sustaining peace in the province.

The new Camp Hadji Suod B. Tan features a four-story administration building, separate barracks for male and female personnel, a firing range, and other essential support facilities designed to enhance the battalion’s operational readiness.

Upon his arrival, the President received foyer honors before witnessing the ceremonial turnover of 195 high-powered loose firearms voluntarily surrendered by municipalities across Sulu.

The turnover highlighted the continuing gains of the government’s campaign against loose firearms and its efforts to preserve peace and public safety.

Following a project briefing, President Marcos inspected the camp’s key facilities, including the cafeteria, conference room, lecture hall, offices, and detention center.

The inauguration concluded with the presentation of a handcrafted Tausug kris, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the Tausug people.

Located on a 1.8-hectare property in Barangay Bualo Lipid, Maimbung, the camp serves as the permanent headquarters of RMFB 9B.

The land was donated by the Sulu provincial government in 2021 to provide the battalion with a strategic and permanent base of operations.

Construction of the camp began in February 2024 and expanded in phases to include administrative, residential, training, and utility facilities.

The project also includes a power house, an elevated water tank, a drainage system, an internal road network, and security guard houses to support sustained operations.

The camp is named after the late former mayor of Maimbung, Hadji Suod Tan for his contributions to public service, peace, and community development.

The RMFB serves as the Philippine National Police’s mobile reaction force, supporting internal security operations and assisting local police units during emergencies and high-risk missions.

RMFB 9B is responsible for police mobile operations in the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, as well as Isabela City in Basilan.

The unit came under the Zamboanga Peninsula following the 2025 referendum that transferred Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Isabela City from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to Region 9.

President Marcos also received the surrendered firearms from former rebels and local government units as part of the day’s activities.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II, Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan, and Maimbung Mayor Shihla Tan-Hayudini joined national and local officials in welcoming the President.

All mayors of the 19 municipalities showed up during the inauguration ceremonies.

Also present were Brig. Gen. Emmanuel L. Cabasan of the Philippine Army, Police Brig. Gen. Dennis A. Esguerra, and Police Col. Jeff B. Uy of the Philippine National Police.

The newly completed camp stands as a testament to the partnership between the national government, the local government of Sulu, and the Philippine National Police in promoting stability and development in the province.

After the inauguration, President Marcos proceeded to Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo to visit the headquarters of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division before continuing his official engagements in Zamboanga City.- PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. intensified the government’s efforts this week to strengthen food security, water access, healthcare, transparency, and social welfare through a series of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos.

On Monday, June 22, the President inaugurated an irrigation project in Bohol that will benefit more than 700 farmers while helping mitigate the effects of El Niño.

The President also inspected key infrastructure projects in Cebu and launched a “Walang Gutom Kitchen” facility to provide nutritious meals and ease the burden on vulnerable families.

On Thursday, June 25, the Chief Executive led the inauguration of the Antong Dam and Irrigation System Project in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, to help farmers and mitigate the impact of El Niño.

Through the irrigation project, the President assured farmers in Mindanao that they would have an adequate water supply to increase agricultural productivity, ensure sufficient food production, and enable them to resume planting twice a year.

President Marcos also visited the government’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program and the Walang Gutom Program in South Cotabato, underscoring the administration’s commitment to addressing hunger, poverty, and food security through a whole-of-government approach.

During the event, President Marcos directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to further expand the programs to reach more vulnerable families across the country.

The government aims to assist 750,000 Filipino families by 2027 through the Walang Gutom Program, which currently provides qualified beneficiaries with PhP3,000 worth of monthly food credits to help ensure access to nutritious food.

Also on Thursday, President Marcos led the ceremonial turnover of Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) assistance to the provincial governments of South Cotabato and Cotabato.

The President handed over PhP40 million in SCPF assistance to the South Cotabato provincial government and PhP96 million to the Cotabato provincial government.

The SCPF is an Office of the President grant that provides direct financial assistance to local communities. Through initiatives such as the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program, it funds barangays and local government units (LGUs) to support public services, disaster management, and education programs.

On Friday, June 26, President Marcos inspected the ongoing construction of the new Hemodialysis Building at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City.

The project forms part of the government’s intensified efforts to improve access to treatment for Filipinos with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The President said, “Pag natapos ito, ito ang magiging pinakamalaking dialysis center sa Southeast Asia.”

The new facility will house 200 state-of-the-art dialysis machines, significantly increasing the institute’s treatment capacity. It is scheduled to open before the end of 2027.

The Chief Executive also inspected flood-control projects along G. Araneta Avenue as part of the government’s intensified flood-mitigation efforts under the “Oplan Kontra Baha” program, launched last year.

Capping the day’s activities, President Marcos launched the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Centralized Open Monitoring Platform for Appropriations and Spending Statistics (DBM COMPASS), saying the new digital platform will make government spending more transparent, accessible, and accountable to the Filipino people. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday called for a united national effort to safeguard Filipino children, urging government agencies, schools, parents, teachers, and communities to work together to ensure that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment following a series of heartbreaking incidents involving students.

Speaking in his latest BBMVLOG 282 titled “Protektahan ang Kabataan,” the President said he was addressing the nation not only as the country’s Chief Executive but also as a father deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the nation’s youth.

“Ngayong araw, hindi lamang bilang Pangulo ang aking pananalita, kundi bilang isang ama, bilang kapwa Pilipino, at bilang isang taong lubos na nag-aalala sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak,” President Marcos said.

The President cited the recent school shooting in Tacloban City, fatal stabbing incidents inside schools in Cavite, and the deaths of two student-athletes during a team-building activity, saying that while the circumstances differed, they carried the same urgent message.

“Kailangang maprotektahan ang ating mga kabataan,” President Marcos emphasized. “Maprotektahan laban sa karahasan. Maprotektahan laban sa kapabayaan. Maprotektahan laban sa panganib. At maprotektahan laban sa mga tahimik na pinagdaraanan at pasaning dinadala ng marami sa kanila.”

The Chief Executive emphasized that schools should remain as places where children learn, pursue their dreams, and develop their potential—not places where parents fear for their children’s safety.

“Ang paaralan ay dapat maging lugar ng pagkatuto, pangarap, at pag-unlad—hindi lugar kung saan nangangamba ang mga magulang para sa kaligtasan ng kanilang mga anak,” President Marcos noted.

Ensure the safety of students

The President directed the agencies responsible for education, law enforcement, health, and local governance to further strengthen measures to ensure the safety and security of students across the country.

“Kaya naman inaatasan ko ang ating mga ahensya sa edukasyon, kapulisan, kalusugan, at lokal na pamahalaan na higit pang palakasin ang mga hakbang para sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral sa buong bansa,” President Marcos said.

At the same time, the President noted that protecting children is a shared responsibility that extends beyond government.

President Marcos called on parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives, urged teachers to continue serving not only as educators but also as mentors and counselors, and reminded schools to strictly enforce safety protocols during classes, field trips, training camps, and other school-related activities.

“Ngunit hindi sapat ang pagkilos ng pamahalaan lamang. Dapat manatiling aktibong bahagi ng buhay ng kanilang mga anak ang mga magulang. Dapat ipagpatuloy ng mga guro ang kanilang tungkulin hindi lamang bilang tagapagturo, kundi bilang mga gabay at tagapayo,” the Chief Executive noted.

The President added, “Dapat ring tiyakin ng mga paaralan na mahigpit na nasusunod ang mga panuntunan sa kaligtasan—sa loob man ng silid-aralan, sa mga field trip, training camp, o iba pang gawaing pang-eskuwela.”

President Marcos also underscored the need to restore society’s appreciation for the value of human life by instilling kindness, discipline, and respect among the youth.

“Spend time with your children”

Addressing Filipino students directly, the President offered reassurance to those silently carrying emotional burdens.

“Sa bawat estudyanteng nanonood ngayon: Mahalaga ang iyong buhay. Mahalaga ang iyong mga pinagdaraanan. At ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi kailanman tanda ng kahinaan,” President Marcos said.

The President likewise appealed to parents to never underestimate the power of spending time with their children and maintaining open communication.

“Huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak. Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksyong maibibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensyon, at pag-unawa,” the President said.

President Marcos concluded by emphasizing that the country’s future depends on protecting the next generation.

“Sapagkat ang tunay na lakas ng ating bansa ay nakasalalay sa kaligtasan, kapakanan, at mga pangarap ng susunod na henerasyon,” the President noted.- PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will conduct an Official Visit to Canada from July 1 to 4, 2026 upon the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney.

President Marcos and Prime Minister Carney will hold bilateral discussions aimed at further deepening Philippines-Canada partnership and advancing cooperation in key strategic sectors. The two leaders are expected to assess progress in defense and security engagements and efforts to expand trade and investment, and explore avenues to bolster cooperation in enhancing economic resilience, strengthening collaboration in energy and critical minerals, and reinforce people-to-people linkages. They will also discuss the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship and strategic priorities for the region. Canada has been an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since 1977 and has maintained a Strategic Partnership with ASEAN since 2023.

A key focus of the visit will be the promotion of business and investment opportunities. President Marcos will lead engagements with Canadian business leaders and investors in sectors critical to the Philippines’ economic agenda, including information technology, business process management, artificial intelligence (AI) and critical infrastructure, critical minerals, and other high-growth industries.

The President will be accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos during engagements with the Filipino community in Vancouver, British Columbia, in recognition of the vital contributions of overseas Filipinos to both countries and to the enduring ties between the Philippines and Canada.

The visit marks the first official visit of a Philippine President to Canada in more than a decade, following the visit of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in 2015. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last visited the Philippines in 2017.

The Philippines and Canada celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024, reflecting a longstanding partnership founded on shared values, especially in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, strong economic ties, and vibrant people-to-people connections.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday launched the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Centralized Open Monitoring Platform for Appropriations and Spending Statistics (DBM COMPASS), saying the new digital platform will make government spending more transparent, accessible, and accountable to the Filipino people.

The President also led the ceremonial endorsement of the updated Philippine Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Roadmap 2024–2028.

President Marcos said public funds belong to the Filipino people and must always be used for their benefit.

The Chief Executive said DBM COMPASS will enable citizens to monitor where government funds are allocated and spent, encouraging greater public participation in governance.

“Like a compass that points the way forward, this platform allows our people to see and track where their hard-earned money goes,” the President said.

He said making budget and financial information easier to access and understand would empower Filipinos to become active partners in governance and emphasized that public financial management directly affects the delivery of essential services.

“We need to make government budget and spending easily accessible and understandable for every Filipino.”

“That is why we continue to build a government that acts with transparency and delivers with discipline and accountability,’ the President added.

The President said these include the timely construction of schools, better-equipped hospitals, support for farmers and fisherfolk, the completion of infrastructure projects, and the efficient delivery of government assistance to intended beneficiaries.

The President acknowledged that government budgets are often viewed as complicated and inaccessible.

He said this should no longer be the case because every Filipino has the right to know how public funds are being utilized.

“We further improved our evaluation system for government programs and projects so we can determine if their intended outcomes are indeed achieved. Moreover, we expanded Project DIME, which uses satellites to monitor major government projects, even in far-flung areas.”

“These demonstrate our commitment to enhancing the services we deliver to our citizens—by learning from evidence, measuring what works, and ensuring that our programs produce results. ” the President said.

The Chief Executive also said DBM COMPASS builds on reforms already implemented under his administration.

These include the New Government Procurement Act, the Budget and Treasury Management System (BTMS), and Project DIME, which uses satellite technology to monitor major infrastructure projects, including those in remote areas.

The president also highlighted the record P57.87-billion allocation for the Local Government Support Fund this year to strengthen the capacity of local government units to deliver essential public services.

The President directed all government agencies to align their budgets with national priorities.

He also instructed agencies to strengthen procurement, reporting, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Calling for greater public trust in government, the President stressed that transparency and accountability must be practiced at every stage of governance.

“Kung nais nating mapanumbalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan, dapat malinaw, bukas, at nakikita ang ating mga ginagawa. Hindi sapat na tama at kumpleto lang tayo sa papel. Kailangan nararamdaman din ang badyet ng taumbayan,” President Marcos said.

Developed by the DBM under Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon, the updated PFM Roadmap identifies priority reforms in planning and budgeting, cash management, public procurement, accounting and auditing, digital public financial management, disaster risk management, local government financial management, policy reforms, capacity development, and monitoring and evaluation.

The roadmap was prepared through nationwide consultations involving more than 1,000 public financial management practitioners and informed by the 2025 Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability Assessment, with support from development partners, including the Asian Development Bank.

DBM COMPASS consolidates budget information—from the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act to allotments, obligations, and disbursements, into a single searchable online portal where users can track government spending by department, agency, region, funding purpose, fiscal year, and budget document through interactive charts and data visualizations. | PND

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos on Friday capped the five-day rollout of her “Mula sa Puso Para sa Pamilya” initiative in Metro Manila, leading the distribution of 10 kilos of quality rice to 3,300 beneficiaries in Novaliches, Quezon City.

The distribution was held at the District Center inside Jordan Plains Subdivision in Barangay Sta. Monica, one of the 14 barangays comprising Quezon City’s Fifth District.

The Novaliches leg concluded a week-long series of rice distributions that brought the First Lady to communities in Quezon City and Manila, providing assistance to vulnerable families through the initiative.

Sta. Monica Barangay Chairman Charlie Manalad welcomed the program, saying it successfully reached its intended beneficiaries and would provide sustained assistance through multiple distribution rounds.

“Actually, talagang hindi lang maganda. Magandang, magandang programa. Sa aking pagkakaalam, simula nang umupo ako, first time pa lang na magkaroon nito. Hindi lang isang beses ito dahil magkakaroon ng apat na tranches ang ibibigay sa mga beneficiaries,” Manalad said.

According to Barangay Sta. Monica Kagawad Celso de los Santos, around 1,300 beneficiaries personally attended Friday’s distribution, while the program covers a total of 3,300 beneficiaries from all 14 barangays in Quezon City’s Fifth District.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Araneta-Marcos for extending the assistance to residents, noting that each beneficiary will receive 10 kilos of rice every two months for a total of four distribution cycles.

“We are really lucky because today, our First Lady will give you rice. This is the first time you will receive 10 kilos of rice. But you will receive this four times. Every two months, you will receive 10 kilos,” Belmonte told the beneficiaries.

The mayor added that the rice distributed under the program was sourced directly from Filipino farmers, allowing the initiative to provide assistance to vulnerable families while supporting the livelihood of local rice producers.

Also joining the First Lady during the activity were Fifth District Representative Patrick Michael Vargas, former Congressman Atty. Kit Belmonte, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora.

Barangay Gulod Punong Barangay Aldrin Tolentino expressed gratitude to the First Lady, saying the initiative would greatly benefit vulnerable sectors, particularly senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Taos pusong nagpapasalamat kamik sa Pangulo dahil alam niya kung sino ang karapat-dapat tulungan. Proud kami from QC na kami ay kasama sa programang ito,” Tolentino said.

Among the beneficiaries was 52-year-old Celso Garrett, a person with disability who underwent kidney surgery and was forced to stop working as a driver. Despite his condition, he continues to support his child, who is attending college.

“Importante sa akin ito bilang PWD. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa ating First Lady. Para sa akin, basta tiwala lang sa gobyerno natin ang kailangan,” Garay said.

The event also featured raffle draws where beneficiaries won additional prizes, including sacks of rice, rice cookers, and a television set.

Under the “Mula sa Puso Para sa Pamilya” initiative, beneficiaries receive 10 kilos of quality rice per distribution as part of the government’s continuing effort to ease the burden on vulnerable families while promoting the purchase of rice from local farmers. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed the continuous implementation of the G. Araneta Drainage Improvement Project in Quezon City to help ease flooding in the area, as he inspected the completed portion of the project.

President Marcos inspected the Quezon City Drainage Improvement Project as part of the government’s intensified flood mitigation efforts under the “Oplan Kontra Baha” program.

In his message during the event, the President said residents have already experienced the benefits of the new drainage project, as floodwaters now recede more quickly during heavy downpours than they did before.

Flooding had long been a problem for residents, motorists and small businesses, which prompted the government to address the issue, the President said.

“Kaya napakalaking bagay na ayusin natin ito. Kaya ’yan ang ating ginawa, patuloy natin itong gagawin.”

“So dito pa lang ito, one half pa lang ito, kalahati pa lang ito. Gagawin din natin ‘yan dun sa kabila para talagang mabilis ang takbo ng tubig, mabilis ang paglabas ng tubig at hindi na mababaha rito sa G. Araneta Avenue, dito sa Tatalon,” President Marcos said.

Another issue the government has to address is the accumulation of garbage that could clog the newly built drainage system, the Chief Executive said, noting that he would seek the cooperation of the Quezon City local government in addressing the problem.

With the cooperation of the LGU, a system should be put in place to ensure consistent cleanup and declogging of waterways so that garbage does not end up in the drainage system and cause flooding.

“Hihingi tayo ng tulong kay Mayor Joy (Belmonte) at sabihin natin kung puwede ay gawa tayo ng sistema para tuloy-tuloy ang pag-declogging,”

“Ginagawa na ng mga tigarito, nagde-declogging sila. Pero small scale lang. Sa dami ng basura, kailangan talaga meron tayong isang sistema,” said the President.

The Chief Executive conducted a similar inspection in the G. Araneta area last May, which he said was among the critical flood-prone locations being prioritized by the government.

Similar interventions are being carried out across Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Launched by the government last year, “Oplan Kontra Baha,” involves waterway clearing operations, drainage rehabilitation, and pumping station upgrades aimed at reducing flooding in Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas nationwide. PND