By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In the fifth episode of the BBM Podcast aired on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shared his insights on the country’s state of disaster preparedness and his stance on the flood control mess, with the former put to the test during recent storms and in the wake of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook Cebu province last week.
Marcos said that in the aftermath of the Cebu quake, the government was able to swiftly position aid and assistance to victims affected by the calamity, especially in Bogo City, which was the epicenter of the earthquake that rippled across the island province.
He also lauded the concerted efforts of various government agencies, which helped in expediting disaster response and ensuring that the basic needs of residents were all accounted for.
President Marcos, meanwhile, clarified that having a political advantage is not the reason why he brought the issue of ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects into mainstream discussion, instead citing the gravity and scale of corruption behind this pressing national concern as the motive behind this startling revelation.
The President declared, “The reason I brought it up and made it part of the national discourse was quite simply because this could not go on. Because if it kept going—suddenly you discovered how deeply entrenched this entire system was.”
He explained further, “Nothing will happen to the Philippines if we carry on this way. Wala na talagang mangyayari sa atin. The economy will never grow properly. People are not going to get helped. The schools will not get better. The hospitals will not get better. We will not get anywhere.”
Marcos likewise stressed that resignation from a public post will never become a ‘scapegoat’ for an embattled public official to escape culpability and accountability for one’s alleged involvement in malpractices while in public service.
He noted that such abuses of power and authority deal not only financial or economic damage but also undermine the integrity of government institutions and people’s trust in the nation’s officials.
The President said, “Very simple, a lousy flood control project that collapsed during the flood, that killed a family. I mean, how can you live with that? I can’t live with it. So, I won’t live with it. So, we’ll keep pushing.”
He wrapped up the podcast by reiterating the reallocation of P255 billion in funds intended for flood control projects among various government agencies to ensure that the national budget brings tangible benefits to the citizenry.
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