Metro Manila was flooded anew Saturday as heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate and sent government agencies scrambling to deploy pumps and other flood-control measures.

The latest flooding came amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call on Filipinos to learn to deal with what he described in 2024 as the “new normal” of worsening climate-related weather and flooding — and as his administration continues to grapple with a scandal involving alleged ghost, substandard and overpriced flood-control projects.

Meanwhile, the Marikina River reached 16.1 meters at about 2 p.m. Saturday, prompting the city government to raise its alert to the second level. The river also overflowed along portions of the Marikina River Park.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority continued operating mobile pumps in Tumana, Marikina, as part of preemptive pumping operations.

The pumps can discharge up to 1.25 cubic meters of water per second, while the Department of Public Works and Highways continued operating the Tumana pumping station.

In Quezon City, 171 families or 564 people had been evacuated to designated centers as of 8 a.m., according to the city government. Flooding was reported along portions of G. Araneta Avenue, N.S. Amoranto Street, Don Jose Street, Calamba Street and Roxas District.

In Malabon, flooding was reported in Maysilo and Panghulo, although vehicles remained passable. Portions of Plaza Dilao along Quirino Avenue were also damaged by repeated rains, posing hazards to motorists.

In Las Piñas, the DPWH deployed six mobile pumps in flooded areas, including Zapote Junction and Alido Bridge. Floodwaters at Zapote Junction remained knee-deep despite pumping operations.

PAGASA said the habagat would continue to bring rains over Metro Manila and parts of Luzon, with heavy to intense rainfall potentially triggering flash floods and landslides.

The government had earlier suspended classes and work in Metro Manila and several provinces because of the weather.

The Office of Civil Defense also announced that Ipo Dam would begin spilling water as its level rose because of continuing rains.

Marcos made the “new normal” remark during a briefing in Rizal following typhoon “Carina” and the enhanced habagat in July 2024, saying the government had to develop new ways to deal with increasingly difficult flooding problems.

The administration has since ordered investigations into questionable flood-control projects. Marcos himself inspected a purported P55.7-million river-wall project in Baliwag, Bulacan, in August 2025 and found that the structure was not there.

He subsequently warned that contractors and officials responsible for major anomalies could face charges.

Malacañang has denied that Marcos was involved in or aware of the alleged irregularities, while investigations and court proceedings involving suspected ghost and substandard projects continue.

Marcos and his cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, had been tagged by expelled congressman Zaldy Co as alleged recipients of flood control project kickbacks.