Malacañang could not say why the Marcos administration has yet to implement a comprehensive flood master plan reportedly crafted during the administration of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said she could not speak about what was discussed during Aquino’s time but said Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon is now implementing projects based on master plans for major river basins.

“First of all, our secretary then was Secretary Manny Bonoan, so I cannot answer what they discussed at that time because I wasn’t there yet. What I can answer is what Secretary Vince Dizon is doing now because, as he has told us, he is now implementing all the infrastructure based on the master plans for the major river basins,” Castro said.

Former Public Works Secretary Babes Singson earlier said a river-basin master plan was crafted during Aquino’s presidency but was not pursued by succeeding administrations.

Castro said Dizon had also told her that the Aquino-Singson Master Plan was being reviewed.

“He mentioned to me that the Aquino-Singson Master Plan is also here and is being looked at now,” she said.

During his 2024 State of the Nation Address, Marcos said 5,521 flood-control projects had been completed from July 2022 to May 2024, with another 5,000-plus projects ongoing.

During a recent inspection in Tarlac, Marcos said, “We have had a master plan for decades, but nothing was done. But we are actually starting it now.”

Castro said Marcos was referring to previous master plans that had not been implemented and might no longer suit current conditions.