1st district rep. paolo duterte

ANAKBAYAN Southern Mindanao Region slammed Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s statement, particularly on the point that flooding in the city is “natural” since it supposedly ignores the crucial issue.

Anakbayan SMR, along with other left-leaning youth organizations in Davao City, conducted a lightning protest on September 7, 2025, at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI office along Guerrero Street, Davao City.

The protest was a response of the group to the ongoing issue of flood control project anomalies.

Fauzhea Guani, Chairperson for Anakbayan SMR, slammed Duterte’s statement that the flooding in the city is not natural, as year after year, residents continue to endure dangerous high floodwaters.

“Pulong’s statement is the height of privilege and insensitivity. The worsening flooding in our city is no longer just a natural event, as the Dutertes claim; at this point, it is a human-induced disaster that disrupts the daily lives of ordinary Dabawenyos,” Guani said.

Guani added that the narrative blatantly ignores that since 2016, there have been more than 800 ongoing and completed flood control projects, yet the supposed solutions have clearly failed.

The chairperson questioned the expenditures of the DPWH Region XI and demanded an immediate investigation into the agency’s flood control projects.

“Despite the DPWH XI spending a staggering 37.8 billion pesos from 2016 to 2025 on these projects, the city still faces devastating floods. If these projects were implemented as reported, why does flooding continue to persist in Davao City?” she said.

“The local government ruled by the Dutertes has clearly played a key role in implementing these supposed projects alongside the DPWH, which demand urgent scrutiny,” Guiani added.  

To note, Duterte said in response to Rep. Benny Abante, that all flood projects in his district were completed and appropriately implemented.

“Besides, do not mind the floods in Davao, I can guarantee everybody that every peso allocated was implemented,” Pulong said.

He added that flooding in the city subsides compared to other areas that can be likened to a “swimming pool.”

The City Engineer’s Office has identified 265 flood-prone areas in the city, most are in District 1.

CEO OIC Atty. Janis Louis H. Esparcia reported that 140 are in the first district, 69 in the second district, and 56 in the third district, according to the data from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.