flood control – Page 2 – Author Carlo Carrasco

BMI Sees Philippines GDP Growth Slowing Down To 5.2% In 2026

November 3, 2025October 25, 2025carlocarrasco

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, officially lowered its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) for the Philippines at 5.2% pointing a series of factors such as remittances slowdown, weaker investor sentiment, US tariffs on Philippine goods and the effects of the flood control corruption scandals, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI has sharply lowered its 2026 Philippine growth forecast to well below the government’s six- to seven-percent target, citing an expected slowdown in remittances, a weaker trade balance, muted investment sentiment, and downside risks to government spending stemming from the flood control fiasco.

“We expect remittance growth to slow due to tighter US [United States] immigration policy and a one-percent remittance tax on transfers from the US starting in 2026,” BMI said in a commentary published on Thursday, Oct. 23.

“A slowdown in remittances will weigh on domestic consumption, which will have an outsized impact on growth given the domestically driven economy,” BMI explained.

Against this backdrop, BMI has slashed its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.2 percent, one-percentage-point (ppt) lower than the 6.2 percent it projected previously.

If realized, this would also fall below this year’s growth goal of 5.5 to 6.5 percent, and 2024’s actual pace of 5.7 percent.

Another policy by US President Donald Trump that could drag down the local economy is the 19-percent tariff on Philippine exports, but zero tariffs imposed on select American imports.

This US-Philippines trade setup, according to BMI, “will weigh on the trade balance in 2026.”

Goods exports growth in August was the slowest in 2025 as US tariffs took effect and exporters’ front-loading of outbound shipments ended.

The latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that goods exports grew by 4.6 percent year-on-year in August, marking the slowest increase since the 1.9-percent decline in December 2024

BMI also believes investor sentiment will “likely” remain muted next year as “erratic US trade policies will weigh on global investor sentiment and limit foreign direct investment inflows [FDIs].”

Domestically, government spending could bear the impact of a scenario where the ongoing flood control probe leads to the unearthing of more corruption cases tied to infrastructure projects beyond flood control.

“It could lead to even tighter scrutiny on government spending and reduce spending substantially below fiscally programmed levels,” BMI said. Capital outlays had dropped by 10 percent to ₱112.9 billion as of August, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Infrastructure spending is expected to hit ₱1.51 trillion in 2025, ₱1.56 trillion in 2026, ₱1.69 trillion in 2027, ₱1.9 trillion in 2028, ₱2.03 trillion in 2029, and ₱2.2 trillion in 2030.

Meanwhile, BMI retained its 5.4-percent Philippine growth forecast for this year, still below the lowered full-year target.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that due to several internal and external factors, economic growth of the Philippines will be slower this year and next year? Do you agree with BMI’s findings about the Philippine economy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Nomura Sees 2025 Philippine Economic Growth Slowing Down To 4.7%

October 30, 2025October 29, 2025carlocarrasco

In its latest economic report, Nomura Global Markets Research sees the economic growth of the Philippines slowing down to 4.7% this and they pointed to an expected decline in government spending, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC GROWTH may slow to 4.7% this year, as government spending is expected to further decline amid the corruption investigation in infrastructure projects, Nomura Global Markets Research said.

In a report dated Oct. 27, Nomura Chief ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Economist Euben Paracuelles and Macroeconomic Research Analyst Yiru Chen said the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast was slashed to 4.7% this year from 5.3% previously as downside risks increased due to the corruption scandal involving flood control projects.

“This pencils in GDP growth slowing to just 4% in the second half from 5.4% in the first half and is based on the assumption that the decline in government expenditures in September will worsen in the next 3-4 months,” they said.

Nomura’s latest forecast is below the government’s 5.5-6.5% GDP growth target for the year and is slower than the 5.7% growth in 2024.

“Taking into account the sharp drop in fiscal spending in September, we think the ‘bad scenario’ on the growth impact of the ongoing corruption scandal is materializing,” they said.

Third-quarter GDP data will be released on Nov. 7.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had flagged anomalous flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address in late July. This sparked several investigations into alleged corruption involving lawmakers, government officials, and private contractors.

Latest Treasury data showed government expenditures declined by 7.53% in September, worsening from the 0.7% drop in August, mainly due to lower spending by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Nomura also noted that government spending declined by 2.8% in the third quarter, a reversal of 1.6% growth in the second quarter.

“Excluding interest payments and debt servicing, expenditure growth slumped even more to -10.2% y-o-y (year on year) in September from -3.5% in August, the weakest since 2020. This suggests a relatively rapid deterioration in the pace of budget disbursements after President Marcos brought to light the corruption scandal of flood control projects,” they said.

Nomura also noted that the reallocation of funds to other types of capital expenditures such as school buildings has been “challenging” to implement.

“In addition, we incorporate some spillovers into other components of domestic demand, which were also evident in these previous episodes, including household consumption spending. Our forecast continues to take into account the impact of the US tariffs, which, as we have argued before, pose significant headwinds for goods exports,” they said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the GDP growth of the Philippines will end up below 5% for 2025 as a whole? Are you convinced that investigations and embarrassing details from flood control projects are turning away foreign investors already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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World Bank Flags Slowing Philippine Economy As Flood Control Scandal Controversy And Softening Financial Market Go On

October 25, 2025October 16, 2025carlocarrasco

The embarrassment of the ongoing flood control corruption scandals and the slowing economy of the Philippines caught the attention of the World Bank (WB) as it released a detailed assessment of the nation, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The World Bank (WB) has flagged a slowing Philippine economy as investor sentiment weakens, financial markets soften, and manufacturing and exports falter—even as joblessness steadies and inflation stays below target.

“There are signs that economic activity may be decelerating” in the country, the WB said in its Philippines Monthly Economic Developments report for September 2025, published on Oct. 14.

The WB highlighted that investor sentiment toward domestic financial assets weakened in September, with the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) falling 0.9 percent between August and Sept. 18—contrasting with the rising stock markets of regional peers since July.

The WB noted that while interest rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)—which lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.75 percent last Oct. 9—and the United States (US) Federal Reserve supported early September gains, negative market developments later limited buying activity in the domestic stock market.

Among these “unfavorable market updates” were “governance issues in flood control projects, an uptrend in inflation and unemployment, and lower foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows,” the report said.

“Amid these developments, foreign investors became net sellers of local shares. This contributed to the slight weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar,” the report noted.

“In real effective terms, the Philippine peso depreciated in August against a basket of currencies of its major trading partners” and sustained a slight depreciation last month, it added.

The WB also noted that the Philippines’ merchandise export growth fell to an eight-month low in August, with exports rising just 4.6 percent year-on-year as shipments to the US declined following the introduction of higher tariffs.

This came even as export growth was “driven by sustained demand for semiconductors and electronic data processing equipment, primarily from Hong Kong and Japan,” the report added.

Meanwhile, the WB emphasized that merchandise import values declined by 4.9 percent year-on-year last August, mainly due to lower global prices for coal and petroleum products. The Philippines is a net oil importer. The report also noted that imports of raw materials and intermediate goods fell after robust growth in prior months.

Imports of motor vehicles, however, rose—driven by strong consumer demand. The WB noted that, in all, the goods trade deficit narrowed from $4.4 billion in July to $3.5 billion in August.

The WB also highlighted that high-frequency data indicated a slowdown in manufacturing activity, with output rising just 1.4 percent year-on-year in August, largely supported by growth in the food products sector.

However, the WB said that production of electrical equipment as well as computer, electronic, and optical products decelerated, reflecting the slowdown in export growth.

The WB also noted that the country’s S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for September dropped to 49.9, falling below the neutral threshold for the first time in six months and indicating a contraction in activity.

“Despite modest gains in external demand, output and new orders from the domestic market declined, and business confidence, while positive, remained subdued,” the WB added.

The WB further highlighted that labor market conditions steadied as the effects of weather-related disruptions eased, noting that the unemployment rate held steady year-on-year at 3.9 percent in August, rebounding from a temporary rise in July caused by adverse weather that affected agriculture and fisheries.

The WB said that employment in wholesale and retail trade fell year-on-year, although the reasons behind the decline remain unclear and require careful monitoring.

“The government expects further improvement in labor market conditions as weather-sensitive sectors continue to recover in the near term,” the WB added.

The WB stressed that inflation has increased moderately in recent months but remains below the central bank’s target, with headline inflation reaching a six-month high of 1.7 percent in September due to the delayed effects of weather-related supply disruptions, which pushed up food prices, especially for vegetables and oils.

“Despite this, average inflation remains below the two- to four-percent inflation band set by the BSP and is partly limited by sustained rice disinflation,” the WB said.

Year-on-year drops in rice prices helped ease inflationary pressures on the poorest 30 percent of households, with their consumer price index (CPI) falling by 0.2 percent in September, the report added.

“Favorable inflation dynamics and moderating domestic demand” supported the BSP’s monetary easing, the WB said, adding that the central bank has “space for a more accommodative policy stance in the context of a weaker outlook for economic growth.”

The WB stated that external imbalances widened in the first half of 2025, though foreign reserves remained sufficient, noting that the current account deficit grew to 3.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)—up 0.3 percentage point (ppt) year-on-year—driven by strong domestic demand that boosted goods imports.

“Higher spending by Filipino tourists abroad and lower inbound tourism receipts also contributed to a decline in net receipts from services trade,” it added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the national government should do to improve the nation’s economic conditions? Do you agree with what the WB reported about the Philippines? If you have been managing a business for at least one year, has 2025 been a rough business year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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S&P Credit Rating Upgrade For Philippines Derailed By Flood Control Scandals

October 23, 2025October 15, 2025carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, the flood control corruption scandals are not only keeping many Filipinos very angry but they are also affecting the economy negatively as the nation was prevented from achieving a credit rating upgrade from S&P Global Ratings, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

THE FINANCE CHIEF on Tuesday said the multibillion-peso flood control scandal prevented the Philippines from getting a credit rating upgrade from S&P Global Ratings.

“If [only] we did not have the flood control issue,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told reporters on the sidelines of a Senate budget hearing. “We met with S&P, and they were ready to give us a credit rating upgrade this year.”

The controversy, which involves “ghost” projects and fund misuse in government flood control programs, has triggered investigations by Congress, the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

The Marcos administration is facing increasing scrutiny over flood control projects, where billions of pesos in public funds were diverted through padded contracts and shell companies.

The scandal highlighted spending inefficiencies and governance lapses that credit agencies closely monitor when evaluating institutional credibility and fiscal management.

Asked whether the Philippines can achieve an “A” credit rating in the next two years, Mr. Recto said: “I hope so.”

He said the government wants to maintain its current credit rating, despite the multibillion-peso corruption scandal.

“There is a big chance they will maintain it, but there was a bigger chance for a credit rating upgrade,” he added.

In November 2024, S&P affirmed its “BBB+” long-term credit rating for the Philippines, which is a notch below the “A” level grade targeted by the government.

S&P had also raised its rating outlook to “positive” from “stable.” A positive outlook means the Philippines’ credit rating could be raised over the next two years if improvements are sustained.

Mr. Recto said the government needs to improve its governance and resolve the flood control mess.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the national government should do to resolve the flood control mess? Are you convinced that the ongoing flood control corruption scandals are already turning away potential foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DPWH Says No Projects In Muntinlupa City Are Currently Under Investigation For Substandard Work

October 20, 2025October 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) replied to the official letter of inquiry by the SK Federation of Muntinlupa and the agency confirmed that no projects in Muntinlupa City are currently under investigation for substandard work, according to a news report by BusinessMirror. The DPWH also revealed details about two specific projects in Barangay Poblacion.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the BusinessMirror. Some parts in boldface…

Sparked by Councilor Jonas Abadilla’s post on the SK Federation’s inquiry to DPWH, the story reflects a growing movement of young leaders seeking clarity and accountability, reminding the public that scrutiny, not suspicion, is the real measure of good governance.

The DPWH replied in full, and took responsibility.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Muntinlupa City has written to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office to seek clarity on the selection and implementation of flood control projects in the city, including two in Barangay Poblacion worth a combined ₱143.5 million.

In its letter dated September 25, 2025, the SK Federation, joined by youth councils and alliances from Barangay Poblacion and Southville 3 raised concerns about how infrastructure priorities are identified and approved, particularly amid public speculation over several projects.

Among the questions raised: who decides which flood control projects get implemented, what criteria are used to select locations, and who approved the ₱49 million project near Caltex and the ₱94.5 million project in Southville 3. The youth groups also asked whether any Muntinlupa projects were part of ongoing investigations into substandard DPWH works.

“We believe that transparency must be achieved in order to foster inclusivity, ethical governance, and genuine service to our constituents,” the SK letter read. “We seek clarity to ensure that information shared with our fellow citizens is accurate and not subject to abuse.”

In its reply, the DPWH District Engineering Office thanked the SK for its vigilance and clarified that project identification and implementation are handled by the DPWH in coordination with local governments and district representatives, but that final approval rests with the DPWH Central Office, under the General Appropriations Act passed by Congress.

DPWH also explained that flood control projects are identified based on community vulnerability, technical studies, and protection of existing infrastructure.

The ₱49 million Caltex-area project, it said, is part of a broader series of flood mitigation works along the Magdaong River, completed in 2022 to prevent bank erosion threatening the national road.

The ₱94.5 million Southville 3 project, meanwhile, is preventive in nature: meant to avert erosion and landslides near a proposed national link road. It remains suspended pending DENR permits, with no payments yet made to the contractor.

The agency stressed that no projects in Muntinlupa are currently under investigation for substandard work, and that all undergo “strict quality control” monitored by DPWH and independent auditors.

For the SK Federation, the inquiry was an exercise in responsible citizenship — a way of using its mandate to promote transparency beyond youth programming.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, what do you think about DPWH projects in the city? Are many members in your local community feeling angry over the corruption scandals related to flood control projects and DPWH projects around the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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US State Department Flags Corruption In The Philippines As Barrier To Investment

October 9, 2025October 10, 2025carlocarrasco

Corruption is sadly deeply rooted here in the Philippines. So much so, the State Department of the United States flagged corruption as a barrier to investment in the Philippines, according to a GMA Network news report. To be clear, there have been economic forecasts about the Philippine economy growing less than 6% this year (possibly ending below the national government’s declared targets) and the US State Department published its detailed report about the country and investment online. As a lot of people are angry over corruption, tremendous economic damage of P1.7 trillion in market capitalization was wiped out (update: the Securities and Exchange Commission chairman apologized for stating the P1.7 trillion figure).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

The United States Department of State has flagged “pervasive” corruption in the Philippines as among the major barriers to foreign investment in the country.

In its 2025 Investment Climate report, the US State Department said “corruption is a pervasive and long-standing problem in both the public and private sector” in the Philippines.

It also cited the country’s rank of 114th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index and “remaining around that level since 2019.”

The State Department added that the World Economic Forum also flagged corruption as among the top problematic factors for doing business in the Philippines.

“The Philippines’ complex, slow, redundant, and sometimes corrupt judicial system inhibits the timely and fair resolution of commercial disputes,” it said.

“Foreign investors describe the inefficiency and uncertainty of the judicial system as a significant barrier to investment. Investors often decline to file cases in court because of slow and complex litigation processes and fears of corruption. Stakeholders report an inexperienced judiciary when confronted with cases involving complex issues such as technology or science,” it added.

The State Department also said its embassy in Manila has received multiple reports from US businesses of overly invasive searches, inconsistent customs charges, and solicitations of “facilitation fees” (such as bribes) from some customs officials.

To see the entire 2025 Investment Climate Statements about the Philippines, click https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/philippines

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the US State Department’s 2025 Investment Climate report about the Philippines is true and accurate? Are you concerned that the perceived corruption as well as the shocking revelations about the flood control projects scandals are already discouraging foreign investors from investing in the country? Do you think the Trump tariffs will eventually bring down Philippine exports to the United States in the next few months? What do you think the Philippine government should do to wipe out corruption and regain the trust of foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas City Congressman Santos Says 13 Infrastructure Projects Awarded To 4 Discaya Construction Firms

September 14, 2025September 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, a lot of people are angry over the flood control projects scandals. This is in reference to several flood control projects that collectively remained incomplete, completed but got damaged later due to using sub-standard materials, and that alleged kickbacks were involved in the awarding of contracts by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to contractors.

In the City of Las Piñas, Congressman Mark Santos revealed that four construction firms owned by the controversial Discaya couple were awarded contracts for thirteen projects in the city worth more than P450 million, according to a Malaya Business Insight news report. It should be noted that a lot of DPWH projects lacked permits from the City Government. On the other hand, Sarah Discaya admitted owning several construction firms that bid for DPWH projects.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Malaya news report. Some parts in boldface…

FOUR construction firms owned by Sarah Discaya cornered 13 flood control and national infrastructure projects, worth about P452 million, in Las Piñas City in the past three years, city Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said yesterday.

Santos laughed off Discaya’s denial in the Senate, saying records from the Department of Public Works and Highways would show that her firm Alpha & Omega’s P18.9-million flood control project in Barangay Zapote was a “glaring failure” as it was only 26.41 percent completed when the construction deadline lapsed in August 2025.

The neophyte lawmaker said that aside from Alpha & Omega General Construction and Development Corp., Discaya’s other companies, St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.; Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor; and Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., also got several multi-million-peso projects in Las Piñas between 2022 and 2025.

Alpha & Omega, which cornered about P100 billion of the P545.6-billion budget from July 2022 to May 2025, was among the top 15 contractors for flood control projects earlier identified by the President.

Santos disclosed that the Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), formerly headed by district engineer Isabelo Baleros, awarded Alpha & Omega a P49-million contract in February 2022 for the construction of a flood control structure along Mahabang Ilog in Barangay Zapote.

However, just a month later, Santos said the DPWH office handed another P49-million flood control project in Mahabang Tubig, also in Zapote, to another Discaya’s firm, St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.

He said Discaya’s Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc. also received a P26.3-million contract in February 2023 for a flood control project along Manarigo Creek.

Just a month later, in March 2023, Santos said another P49-million flood control project for Paliwas Creek was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor, also one of the nine construction firms of the Discayas.

Santos said all flood control projects in his city from 2022 to 2025 that were awarded to the Discayas’ construction firms were confirmed by DPWH Undersecretary for Technical Services Ador Canlas.

“Records speak louder than claims. The Discayas’ repeated awards in Las Piñas are documented, and they cannot hide behind denials or excuses,” Santos said in a statement.

Santos said Canlas also told him that nine multi-million-peso government infrastructure projects had been awarded to the four construction firms of the Discayas, which includes the P9.7-million road rehabilitation in Barangay Zapote, the P6.8-million road rehabilitation in Barangay Talon 5, and the P9.8-million rehabilitation of Las Piñas Elementary School–Central.

The lawmaker said all three projects were awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders in 2022 under Baleros who was appointed head of the DPWH Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office in August 2018 when the DPWH was headed by then Secretary now Sen. Mark Villar.

Santos said Discaya’s Great Pacific Builders “further solidified the family’s stranglehold on Las Piñas infrastructure” when it also secured the P4.8-million school building rehabilitation in Barangay Talon 1 in 2023.

He said the contracts did not end there as these were followed by another two P14.4-million multi-purpose building rehabilitations in 2024 in Barangay Manuyo Dos and Barangay Pulang Lupa Dos, “underscoring a clear pattern of cornering lucrative government contracts.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that the many questionable flood control projects in the city will leave people vulnerable to more flooding incidents in the near future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Parañaque Congressman Yamsuan Pledges To Make 2nd District A Model For Transparent DPWH Projects

September 13, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

With the ongoing controversies caused by many scandals related to flood control projects and infrastructure projects nationwide, Parañaque City’s 2^nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan made a pledge that his district will be a model for transparent projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to a Journal.com.ph news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Journal.com.ph. Some parts in boldface…

PARANAQUE Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has pledged to make the city’s second district a model in helping ensure the transparent and accountable implementation of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) infrastructure projects to aid the agency in instituting an integrated, comprehensive flood control master plan for Metro Manila.

Yamsuan said he will realize this commitment by giving newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon a “free hand” in reviewing all of the department’s projects in the district, which he represents in Congress.

“Ako, bilang kinatawan ng pangalawang distrito ng Parañaque, I am giving you a free hand to review all the projects in my district. Ikaw na ang bahala. Kung tingin mo nararapat ang proyekto sa aming lugar, gawin mo. Kung anong tatanggalin mo, anong idadagdag mo na sa tingin mo na makakatulong sa masterplan natin upang maibsan ang lahat ng problema ng ating bayan, gawin mo,” Yamsuan told Dizon during the briefing conducted by the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget of the DPWH.

(I, as the representative of the second district of Parañaque, are giving you a free hand to review all the projects in my district. I leave it all up to you. If you think the project is feasible for our area, implement it. Remove or add what you think will help our masterplan that is designed to ease the problems of our country. Do it.)

Providing Dizon the opportunity to correct and fix the deep-seated problems besetting the DPWH’s flood control projects will start in Parañaque’s 2nd district, Yamsuan stressed.

Yamsuan also thanked Dizon for continuing to set high standards in delivering clean, honest and efficient service to the people.

“Maraming, maraming salamat sa serbisyo mo sa bayan. Napakaganda ng ginagawa mo. You have inspired people. We have known each other for about three decades now and I was fortunate enough to work with you. I had a bird’s eye view on how you deal with things and how efficient you are in what you do,” Yamsuan said.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat na ikaw ang andiyan. At least puede na kaming makatulog ng mahimbing na ikaw na ang secretary ng DPWH,” Yamsuan added.

In response, Dizon thanked Yamsuan whom he described as his “batchmate in government service.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you like Congressman Yamsuan’s pledge about the 2^nd district and transparency with DPWH projects within it? Do you think this development will improve the quality of construction, infrastructure and flood control in Parañaque’s 2^nd district in the years to come?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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The Current State of Flood Control in Las Piñas City

September 10, 2025September 3, 2025carlocarrasco

If you were in Las Piñas City during the week of July 21 to 25, 2025, were you trapped in the middle of heavy traffic because of immense flooding? Did you witness flood water that entered houses of a local residential community during that week? Today, the topic of flood control is a very hot one for Las Piñas City residents because a lot were negatively affected by flooding and Congressman Mark Santos has been speaking out a lot about it.

For starters, watch the YouTube news video of GMA Network below.

Next, watch the analytical YouTube video of Claire Castro below.

Santos recently pointed out that more than forty construction projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city lacked permits from the City Government.

The DPWH itself has turned controversial due to several flawed and questionable flood control projects nationwide handled by contractors. No less than Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., was angered over a Bulacan flood control project that was never completed even though the contractor has been paid. Not only that, one particular business person admitted owning several construction firms that bid for DPWH projects.

Going back to Las Piñas City, there is controversy over certain infrastructure projects involving the influential Villar business and political family and already there was friction with the City Government. Congressman Santos pointed out that the Las Piñas-Zapote River Drive (another project of the Villar family which you can learn about by clicking here and here) made flooding in the city worse. For insight about Las Piñas City developments, watch the YouTube video below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to the recent developments regarding construction, infrastructure and flooding? Are you following what Congressman Santos has been doing and saying regarding the state of flood control in the city? Do you hope to see the DPWH coordinate closely with the City Government and make sure it secured permits for local projects?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Dredging Work in Las Piñas City Intensified

September 6, 2025August 30, 2025carlocarrasco

In an effort to reduce the risk of flooding, dredging in the city has been intensified under the watch of the administration of Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar, according to a news article by Dredging Today.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Dredging Today news article. Some parts in boldface…

The City Government of Las Piñas, under the leadership of Mayor April Aguilar and Vice Mayor Imelda Aguilar, is intensifying its flood mitigation initiatives through the conduct of a clearing and dredging operation in Bangkalan Creek, Barangay Almanza Uno.

“This operation is not just an environmental effort – it is a proactive measure to safeguard lives, protect properties, and keep our city resilient against climate change and extreme weather events,” CENRO Las Piñas said.

“By conducting dredging and clearing works, the City Government ensures that waterways remain open, deeper, and unobstructed, thereby reducing the risks of overflow.”

The initial dredging operations uncovered plastic bags, plastic bottles, soda cans, and other non-biodegradable materials that had been stacked up through the years.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the City Government is doing enough to reduce the risk of flooding in the near future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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