Marilyn Cahatol

Commuters try to navigate flooded streets as members of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continue declogging works along Taft Avenue in Manila on August 10, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178713601391620260810-habagat-taft-flooding-declogging-JC8325.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Commuters try to navigate flooded streets as members of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continue declogging works along Taft Avenue in Manila on August 10, 2026. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended a situation briefing on Wednesday at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to discuss the impact of the southwest monsoon, or habagat.</p><p>The President was joined by officials from various government agencies, including PAGASA, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).</p><p>According to Marcos, 4,700 barangays and 1.7 million families have been affected by the monsoon rains, while 27 people have died and 17 others were injured.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/9/quezon-city-opens-another-underground-detention-basin-as-inday-habagat-loom-1309">Quezon City opens another underground detention basin as &#x27;Inday,&#x27; habagat loom</a></div><p>The government is also pursuing long-term solutions to address flooding, including the construction of underground rain catchment systems.</p><p>&quot;The effects of the monsoon has spread and severe in terms of its effect and so moving forward, what we&#x27;re looking at is magtatayo tayo meron tayong na identify na merong tumulong satin from Netherlands na tinuruan tayo kung saan pa at kung ano pa ang pwede nating gawin. Maghuhukay tayo sa ilalim ng existing na facilities,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said a Dutch company is conducting a feasibility study and has identified 30 locations for nature-based solutions and catchment areas to help prevent drainage systems from being overwhelmed.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/-old-drainage-channels-in-metro-manila-need-rehabilitation-says-dpwh-1617">&#x27;Old&#x27; drainage channels in Metro Manila need rehabilitation, says DPWH</a></div><p>&quot;Tulad po sa Aguinaldo, almost half hectare po ng golf course ay ating huhukayin natin. Maglalagay po ng 10 meters deep na rain catchment so imaginin niyo po yung laki ng tubig masasalo niyam at &#x27;yan po yung magpeprevent ng baha sa EDSA White Plains,&quot; Artes said.</p><p>According to President Marcos, floodwaters are now receding faster in some areas compared to before, when it took two to three days for the water to subside.</p><p>He added that all 73 pumping stations are operational and on standby if needed, while the government’s dredging operations continue.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AGUHzx8xTjM?si=rTJWsYBXwrg1lyMI" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended a situation briefing on Wednesday at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to discuss the impact of the southwest monsoon, or habagat.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended a situation briefing on Wednesday at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to discuss the impact of the southwest monsoon, or habagat.

Gov't eyes underground catchments as habagat affects 1.7M families

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Gov't eyes underground catchments as habagat affects 1.7M families

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 19, 2026 06:44 PM PHT

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flood

habagat

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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