Senators blame Manila Bay reclamation for flooding

MANILA (UPDATED) -- Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva blamed the reclamation of Manila Bay for the flooding being experienced specifically at the Senate premises in the GSIS Financial Center in Pasay City and Bulacan province.

“This I believe is the consequence of all the reclamation happening in Manila Bay, wala ng malabasan na flood water dito sa Pasay at Manila. Babaha at babaha na palagi dyan sa atin tuwing uulan ng malakas,” Zubiri said of the flooding at the Senate.

Zubiri had shared with media pictures and video of the flooding outside the Senate premises which he likened to the waves at the beaches of Siargao, and water leaks inside the offices and even one elevator of the Senate.

“Reclamation pa more 😤🤯🤬😤🤯🤬,” Villanueva said in his own group chat with Senate reporters, referring to the flooding in his home province of Bulacan. 

“Imagine for the past 2 years (including this year) we have this P1B a day flood control budget for DPWH alone, P1B a day. Please tell me if anyone here can see at least an improvement sa mga baha 💔 Oh well, more important right now is to secure our people and that they are all safe at may access sa food 🙏🙏🙏 Thanks guys!” he added.

Villanueva however clarified he is not ranting, especially right now, as his main focus  is to ensure the safety of people.

Villanueva shared with Senate reporters his and his offices’ pictures and video of flooded parts of his home province of Bulacan, including one inside the family’s Jesus Is Lord Compound in Bocaue.