THIS WRITER greets everyone a fruitful New Year!
As we welcome 2026, there remains a shared hope that life will still have a fighting chance despite the many challenges brought about by corruption and political abuse in this country. The shameless behavior of many politicians has dragged the Philippines into an embarrassing position on the global economic and political map, a reality that Filipinos can no longer afford to ignore.
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Another coffee-corner discussion unfolded shortly after New Year’s Day, when this writer was invited by a golfer friend, together with a businessman, a realtor, and a hotelier. The topic of the day was unavoidable: the widespread flooding now plaguing the country.
The questions flew freely across the table — who is to blame? Politicians? Entrepreneurs? Environmental agencies? Or the people themselves?
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“The flood control ghost-project scandal opened our eyes to a harsh reality — that flooding will soon become a permanent misery for Filipinos,” the golfer began. “Looking back decades ago, the push to develop mountain resorts, luxurious subdivisions, and glamorous highland amenities is now proving to be a serious threat to life and property.”
The hotel manager quickly interjected. “I still believe government agencies are mainly to blame. They allowed entrepreneurs to cut hundreds — if not thousands — of old trees, some more than 30 years old. As long as permits are issued and fees are paid — to government offices and, sadly, to private pockets — tree-cutting approvals are easily granted.”
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“With the exposure of ghost flood-control projects engineered by greedy DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) officials and equally money-hungry contractors, it was a blessing in disguise,” the realtor said. “These so-called flood-control projects were never designed with real protection in mind. Instead, public funds were pocketed to buy mansions, luxury cars, and finance extravagant travels — all at the expense of poor Filipinos.”
He added grimly, “Political leaders never thought flooding would reach this scale. But it did. And perhaps it took divine intervention to reveal what leaders themselves refused to admit.”
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The businessman then joined the discussion, visibly agitated as he sipped his black coffee. “Abusive tree-cutting in our mountains is the real cause of this flooding — something that was predictable, even if conveniently ignored. Without trees to absorb rainwater, flooding becomes inevitable.”
“Who is to blame?” he asked. “Government agencies, first and foremost. If they had foresight, they would never have permitted the massive destruction of forests — whether by private individuals or by those issuing permits within government itself.”
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“I find it absurd that environmental agencies require permits to cut trees at all,” the businessman continued. “Where is the vision? Pay the fee, get the permit — it’s that simple. Resorts in both northern and southern Negros Occidental are now among the contributors to flooding.”
“There is little that can be done now,” he added. “Matters have only worsened because billions intended for flood control were stolen by the same greedy people entrusted to protect us.”
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The golfer then offered what he called a “serious joke.” “Perhaps heaven itself has spoken. Until the masterminds behind the looting of flood-control funds confess, the flooding will not end.”
“Yes, some contractors and DPWH officials are now behind bars,” he said. “But not a single politician who served as project proponent has been jailed. Only in the Philippines does accountability stop halfway. Many believe it was the politicians who started all this — not the contractors. God alone knows when this flooding will finally end.”
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The realtor concluded with his final sip of cappuccino. “The only way to reduce this country’s misery is to prohibit congressmen from acting as contractors or infrastructure authorities. They are lawmakers — not engineers or architects.”
“Give infrastructure responsibilities to governors and mayors, who at least operate under clearer checks and balances. Retire all district engineers and officials in DPWH and DENR. It may sound extreme, but it could reduce the theft of public funds.”
He added bluntly, “Without pork barrels and similar benefits, fewer people would run for Congress and party-list seats for the wrong reasons.” With that, he waved goodbye and ended the conversation./PN
