Beyond the alleged anomalies in flood control projects, members of the public are pointing to deeper causes of widespread flooding, including deforestation, quarrying, and unregulated development in several regions.

Malacañang has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate these factors amid growing public frustration over recurring floods despite massive government spending on flood control infrastructure.

“If that’s what it seems, the DENR leadership should also look into what is happening and whether this is not just due to a calamity, whether it is not just an act of God, if it is not related to human negligence and the abuse of our natural resources or our environment. So, there will definitely be an investigation into this as well,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

She added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not issued any direct order to the agency but stressed that the DENR has the authority and responsibility to act independently.

“With that kind of situation, there is no need for the President to order this because they know what the President wants and what the President’s directives are in these types of disasters,” Castro explained.