Road safety starts with flood-free streets

For many Filipinos, the rainy season means more than just wet shoes and soggy umbrellas — it brings traffic snarls, submerged streets, and perilous commutes. But beneath the daily inconvenience lies a far graver problem: roads that flood easily are not just annoying — they are a serious public safety hazard. And the reasons go beyond heavy rain or clogged drains. They point to deeper, systemic failures in the country’s flood-control management.

Flooded roads compromise the very structure of streets and highways, turning even familiar routes into unpredictable hazards.

Motorists must navigate murky waters, dodge potholes hidden beneath the surface, and contend with stalled vehicles. Pedestrians face swift currents in unexpected areas, while emergency responders often struggle to reach those in need.

The toll isn’t just financial — lost work hours, damaged vehicles, and stalled deliveries — it is human. Every year, hundreds of Filipinos are injured or killed in accidents linked to flooded roads.

Yet, there is a critical blind spot: there’s no comprehensive system tracking how often flooding directly causes road crashes. Without this data, the human cost of corruption in flood control remains largely invisible.

Experts say the root problem isn’t just weather or drainage; it is corruption.

Investigations show billions meant to protect communities from flooding may have been siphoned off, leaving infrastructure incomplete or substandard.

Former congressman Zaldy Co, who once acted as a conduit in certain budget insertions, claims that P56 billion intended for flood-control projects was diverted to politicians —more than double previously reported figures.

Civil society groups have flagged ghost projects, inflated contracts, and subpar construction as rampant.

When funds don’t reach their projects, roads pay the price.

Drainage systems overflow, riverbanks remain unreinforced, and flood-mitigation efforts fail. Infrastructure meant to protect people instead becomes a hazard. This cycle of negligence and corruption endangers motorists and eats away at public trust in government institutions.

The solution isn’t just more concrete or taller embankments. Experts urge transparency, stricter oversight, and nature-based approaches like watershed restoration and sustainable river management.

Every peso properly spent builds safer, more resilient roads — and communities that can weather storms without fear.

Keeping roads flood-free isn’t just an engineering task; it is about protecting lives. When flood-control projects are compromised by corruption, the danger is immediate and personal — for every driver, commuter, and family navigating streets that should keep them safe.

Fixing the scandal behind the projects is just as critical as fixing the roads themselves.