CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday acknowledged that the sheer volume of rainfall, worsened by climate change, overwhelmed the country’s flood control systems, drawing frustration from residents who have endured years of recurring floods.

During an aerial inspection and situation briefing in Pampanga, Marcos said the intensity of recent rains was unprecedented.

“Napakabigat ng ulan na hindi pa natin nakita sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Ito ay naging resulta ng climate change. Hindi ito simpleng problema sa proyekto — ang lakas ng ulan mismo ang nagbago,” Marcos said.

The President outlined immediate, medium- and long-term measures, including five Sabo River Dam projects in Nueva Ecija and a major infrastructure corridor toward Bataan. He stressed that new infrastructure must be designed to withstand increasingly severe weather events.

But for Kapampangans who have been wading through floodwaters for weeks, the explanation drew frustration, particularly over the billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects over the years.

“Climate change na lang palagi ang sagot. Saan napunta ang bilyon-bilyong pondo para sa flood control? Ilang taon na kaming binabaha, ilang administrasyon na ang dumaan — pareho pa rin ang eksena,” one reaction circulating on social media read.

Another questioned the effectiveness of thousands of flood control projects implemented nationwide.

“Sabi nila may 13,000+ flood control projects daw. Nasaan na ‘yun? Baha pa rin hanggang leeg. Huwag na natin isisi sa ulan lang — isisi natin sa mga nagnakaw ng pondo,” the post read.

Others demanded lasting solutions instead of repeated promises whenever severe flooding strikes.

“Tama na ang dahilan. Gusto namin ng solusyon na tumatagal. Bawat taon baha, bawat taon parehong pangako — wala pa ring nangyayari,” another reaction read.

Some acknowledged that climate change has intensified rainfall but argued that the government should have adapted its infrastructure and disaster preparedness accordingly.

“Totoo na mas malakas na ang ulan ngayon — pero kaya nga may gobyerno, kaya may budget — para maghanda sa ganyang pagbabago. Huwag gamiting dahilan ang climate change para itago ang pagkukulang,” one reaction read.

Marcos also visited the Bacolor Integrated School Evacuation Center, where he distributed P10,000 in cash assistance and food packs to displaced families.

His visit likewise drew mixed reactions online, including questions over videos showing people apparently being prompted to applaud while the President was speaking.

“Ano ‘yun? Bakit may coach?” one commenter asked.

Others associated the warm reception with the distribution of government assistance, while some urged the public to give the administration time to implement its proposed solutions.

“Bigyan naman natin ng pagkakataon ang gobyerno na gawin ang tama,” one reaction read.

More than 1 million people across Pampanga remain affected by the flooding, with 253 barangays still submerged.

As relief operations continue, residents are looking beyond immediate assistance and toward whether the government’s promised long-term projects can finally address the province’s chronic flooding.