Marilyn Cahatol

People navigate the flooded Estrada and Leon Guinto streets in Manila on August 22, 2025.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FLOODING- MANILA

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175620547008320250822-weather-flooding-manila-JC243.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="People navigate the flooded Estrada and Leon Guinto streets in Manila, on August 22, 2025.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">People navigate the flooded Estrada and Leon Guinto streets in Manila, on August 22, 2025.  <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has revealed that more than 200 flood control projects worth P14 billion were implemented in the city—all without permits.</p><p>“Under Section 26 and 27 of the Local Government Code, they need to coordinate with the head of the city. Why didn’t they? Are they hiding something?” Moreno asked.</p><p>Following the discovery, the mayor ordered an inspection of the listed projects. </p><p>At the Sta. Mesa pumping station, inspectors found that the generator relied only on a car battery—which was already drained. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/23/isko-moreno-asks-senate-to-include-manila-s-flood-control-projects-in-probes-1905">Isko Moreno asks Senate to include Manila&#x27;s flood control projects in probes</a></div><p>Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials explained that they were still processing permits and applying for electricity connections. Moreno, however, questioned, “Why is there no power connection to Meralco? It’s because they cannot secure a permit.”</p><p>DPWH maintained that flooding in Manila is mainly caused by garbage and the city’s low-lying terrain. But Moreno countered, “As long as these projects are working and not substandard—especially with P14 billion spent—they can make a big difference in easing flooding. If this is true, there should be no flooding.”</p><p>The mayor stressed the urgency of accountability, citing that more than 70 families have already been affected by leptospirosis due to severe flooding in the city.</p><p>Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos has also disclosed that 42 DPWH projects in his district—including flood control and drainage work—also lacked the necessary permits.</p><p>“There is no law that exempts DPWH from securing permits,” Santos said. “Coordination is necessary, because when projects are uncoordinated, funds are wasted and flooding worsens in Las Piñas.”</p><p>During a congressional hearing, Santos called for the removal of the district engineer, pointing out that some projects were left unfinished, others blocked waterways, and several caused further damage to nearby communities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/25/dpwh-lack-of-coordination-over-flood-control-projects-irks-lgus-1019">DPWH lack of coordination over flood control projects irks LGUs</a></div><p>Aside from this, several local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila also said they were caught off guard by the number of flood control projects in their areas, claiming that the DPWH failed to coordinate with them.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/15/map-flood-control-projects-in-metro-manila-2203">MAP: Flood control projects in Metro Manila</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wMYAK46750E?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has revealed that more than 200 flood control projects worth P14 billion were implemented in the city—all without permits.</p>

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has revealed that more than 200 flood control projects worth P14 billion were implemented in the city—all without permits.

200 flood control projects in Manila have no permits: Isko Moreno

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200 flood control projects in Manila have no permits: Isko Moreno

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2025 07:05 PM PHT

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Updated August 26, 2025 09:06 PM PHT

Read More:

Metro Manila

Flood control projects

DPWH

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