Noting that the flood control projects in her district actually worked, Davao de Oro 1st district Rep. Maria Carmen “Maricar” Zamora has appealed to the national government for additional flood control funding.

She said the existing projects helped mitigate flooding during recent heavy rains triggered by a shear line that drenched large parts of Mindanao.

“We’re proud to say na ‘yung ating mga flood control projects dito sa ating distrito ay nakatulong to control the flood. We can say na kahit paano nagkaroon ng improvement (We’re proud to say that our flood control projects here in our district have helped to control flooding. We can say that, in some ways, there has been improvement)," Zamora said in a statement over the weekend.

She noted that in the past, just one to two days of rain would submerge the area around Kalaw Bridge along the Agusan River in the Municipality of Monkayo. During the recent heavy rains, however, the river did not overflow at the bridge.

Zamora explained that Monkayo serves as a basin where runoff from upland areas converges, making flooding expected during heavy rains.

She warned, however, that some flood control projects remain unfinished. “So ang kinatatakutan namin is ‘pag sobrang lakas ng ulan at may hindi natapos baka bibigay din. Kasi syempre may portion na dun dadaan ‘yung tubig kasi may spaces pa na bakante,” she said.

(But what we fear is that if the rains are too heavy and some projects remain unfinished, they might give way. Because naturally, the water will pass through portions that are still open.)

The veteran solon acknowledged that some projects may have been affected by broader national controversies surrounding flood control spending, but urged policymakedqc1c1rs to distinguish between problematic works elsewhere and functioning infrastructure in her district.

“I hope makita nila yung situation namin dito na nakatulong talaga ‘yung flood control project namin dito sa part ng ating region (I hope they see our situation here—that our flood control project has truly helped in this part of our region),” Zamora said.

Flood control projects nationwide have recently faced scrutiny amid allegations of anomalies, unfinished works, and substandard construction. The widespread apprehension is that a good chunk of the funds end up as kickbacks for the solons.

She appealed for objective assessment and additional support in the next budget cycle. She added that many areas in the province remain flood-prone and assured that future proposals would be based on proper studies.

Her assessment was echoed in a report by Davao City-based media outlet Mindanao Lens titled “If Flood Control Isn’t a Ghost.”

The report cited flood mitigation structures in Zamora’s district as an example of infrastructure that is properly built and delivering results.

Davao de Oro, a province vulnerable to intense rainfall due to its terrain and river systems, has historically experienced destructive flooding and landslides.

The recent shear line served as a real-world test of mitigation measures — and, according to Mindanao Lens, residents in Zamora’s district reported reduced impact compared with previous severe weather events.

The report underscored that when flood control projects are properly designed, completed and funded, they provide tangible protection rather than exist only on paper.