Manila Philippines — Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel criticized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s statement victim-blaming over the flooding, that is said due to climate change and improper waste disposal.
During President Marcos’ visit the CAMANAVA area to look at the damage caused by the recent typhoon Carina, he said that garbage is one of the reason for the blockage of pumping stations, so he calls on the public to be responsible in disposing of wastes.
“There was just a problem. I hope people will learn. Don’t throw garbage because it’s the garbage that’s blocking our pumps, so it’s not as effective as it could be,” said Marcos in a statement.
However, Marcos’ statement was not overruled by the Makabayan coalition, according to Manuel, ordinary Filipinos should not be blamed for the widespread flooding in Metro Manila, who were also the victims of the floods.
Manuel also insisted that climate change should not be directed at the public but brought large companies with destruction productions.
“The cause of severe floods in NCR is not this simple, so we should not blame the ordinary citizens who are themselves victims of floods. It is not the consumption of the masses that mainly caused climate change, but the destructive production system of large companies,” said Manuel in a statement.
According to the lawmaker, he said the president’s visit to the affected areas in the NCR due to the flooding caused by typhoon Carina was only a gesture of the Chief executive.
Marcos has emphasized in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) the flood control project, of which more than 5,000 have been completed.
After the devastation of Typhoon Carina, it was also questioned in the Senate whether the P225 Million funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were utilized for the government’s flood control project.