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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos won't abandon Davaoeños following devastating flood — Palace

Marcos won't abandon Davaoeños following devastating flood — Palace

Published Jul 30, 2026 02:58 pm

At A Glance

  • President Marcos assured Davaoeños they would not be abandoned after severe flooding hit Barangay Bangkal, Davao City, ordering immediate and long-term flood mitigation measures.
  • Malacañang said the DPWH has begun emergency dredging of the Talomo River and will complete an unfinished flood control dike left idle since 2019.
  • Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Marcos' post-SONA visit to Davao underscores an administration that serves areas based on need, not politics.
PCO/RTVM
PCO/RTVM

President Marcos has assured residents of flood-hit Davao City that his administration will not abandon them, with Malacañang saying the government has ordered immediate and long-term measures to prevent a repeat of the severe flooding that recently inundated Barangay Bangkal.

In a press briefing on Thursday, July 30, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President immediately directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement permanent solutions after floodwaters submerged parts of the city.

She said residents of Barangay Bangkal could expect the government to prioritize the completion and rehabilitation of projects that had been neglected in previous years.

"Kaya sa mga Davaoeños, asahan ninyo po, hindi po kayo pababayaan ng ating Pangulo at ng administrasyon (So to the people of Davao, rest assured that our President and this administration will not abandon you),” Castro said.

According to the Palace Press Officer, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the affected communities and immediately ordered emergency dredging of the Talomo River to increase its capacity to carry floodwaters from higher-lying areas.

She added that the agency is also continuing the construction of an unfinished flood control dike while raising its elevation to better protect nearby communities from future flooding.

Castro said Dizon expressed anger and disappointment after discovering that the dike project, which began in 2019, had been left unfinished, resulting in suffering that could have been prevented.

The Palace's assurance comes days after President Marcos traveled to Davao Region immediately following his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he distributed government assistance, inspected housing projects, visited the earthquake-damaged Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital, and directed Dizon to assess flood-prone areas and complete long-delayed flood mitigation projects.

During his visit, the President said the government would revisit and fully implement a flood control master plan after learning that several projects under the program had not been carried out, with the goal of preventing similar flooding in the future.

Marcos also visited the People's Ville housing project in Davao City, where he pledged to complete 42 additional condominium-style residential buildings by the end of 2027 as part of the administration's Expanded 4PH Program for displaced and vulnerable families.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the President's decision to visit Davao immediately after delivering his SONA demonstrated "his style of governance that is fair and without favoritism."

Davao City is the known bailiwick of the Duterte family, the former political ally of President Marcos.

"Walang pinipiling lugar, walang pinapaboran (He does not choose places or play favorites),” Recto said.

“Kung saan kailangan ang tulong, pinupuntahan niya (Wherever help is needed, that is where he goes),” he added.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos flood FLOOD CONTROL Davao City Claire Castro Ralph Recto
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