Senators link Manila Bay reclamation to flooding

Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva have linked the flooding outside the Senate compound in Pasay City and in Bulacan to reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Zubiri believes that reclamation activities have blocked natural flood pathways, leading to frequent flooding during heavy rains as seen at the Senate premises where water levels reached knee-deep heights.

Villanueva also attributes widespread flooding in his hometown of Bulacan to reclamation and criticized the lack of visible improvements despite a large flood control budget.

The senators shared pictures and videos showing severe flooding conditions, with Zubiri likening the water levels at the Senate to those found on Siargao beaches and Villanueva highlighting flooded areas in Bulacan including his family’s compound.

Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon combined to bring torrential rains over Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Tuesday and Wednesday, exacerbating flood conditions.