Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Nicolas Torre III defended the agency’s response to severe monsoon flooding that stranded thousands of motorists and pedestrians across Metro Manila, declaring Tuesday that officials “passed the test” despite mounting public backlash.

During a Malacañang press briefing, Torre acknowledged the widespread disruption while responding to social media criticism regarding the agency’s perceived helplessness during the height of the downpours and gridlock.

“We’re still here, so I think we have passed the test,” Torre said.

“But, you know, there’s really nothing to celebrate about yesterday. We saw the hardships of our countrymen, and we really commiserate with them. We saw them at the command center, looking at areas where there were really bottlenecks,” he added.

Torre said agency personnel monitored traffic bottlenecks from their command center and deployed emergency transport services, particularly in heavily impacted areas such as Manila and the Cubao district in Quezon City.