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STORM ‘MARCE’ INTENSIFIES; N. LUZON TOLD TO BRACE FOR HEAVY RAINS By Rio N. Araja THE state weather bureau warned residents of northern Luzon to prepare for the possible heavy rains that tropical storm “Marce” may bring as it intensified over the Philippine Sea east of Bicol region. “Marce’s track is in the middle of ‘Kristine’ and ‘Leon’s track. Those in areas affected by the two cyclones Next page
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 263 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
PBBM: Yes to flood infra probe
But admits climate change, record rainfall levels ‘overwhelming’ By Charles Dantes
P244.5b
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. admitted the country’s flood control projects were overwhelmed by the recent onslaught of typhoons amid calls for an investigation into the effectiveness of government spending on flood control infrastructure.
DPWH’s flood control fund for 2024
P303b DPWH’s proposed flood control budget for 2025
bution of aid under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFF) program, and announced P60 million in relief for storm-hit communities.
“There’s no problem with investigating flood control projects,” Mr. Marcos said in an interview during his visit to Batangas where 52 people died during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.” “But people must realize there are two sides to this. Our flood control systems are overwhelmed. This level of flooding, we’ve never faced anything like it in our history.” “Ondoy dropped around 400 centimeters of rain; Kristine hit over 700. Our flood controls were built to handle something like Ondoy—not this. The amount of rain we’re seeing now is causing landslides and floods in areas that have never experienced them before,” he added. The Department of Public Works and Highways proposed P303 billion for its flood control projects next year, higher than this year’s P244.5 billion funding, Secretary Manuel Bonoan earlier said. In 2023, DPWH had P182 billion for flood control; P128 billion in
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Over 5,000 Flood control projects to be completed between June to December 2024
IN MOURNING. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and members of his Cabinet on Monday attend mass and extend their
heartfelt condolences to relatives and friends of the victims of severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ at Ground Zero, barangay Sampaloc, in Talisay, Batangas. The President then joins Batangas officials lead by Gov. Hermilando Mandanas in lighting candles for the dead. PCO
Marcos leads Day of Mourning; distributes aid to typhoon victims memorate the lives lost in Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which claimed at least 61 individuals in the province. Speaking at a memorial mass, the PRESIDENT Marcos on Monday went to see typhoon victims in Talisay, chief executive expressed his condoBatangas as part of activities to com- lences to the families, particularly
By Charles Dantes, Ralph Rirao, Maricel V. Cruz and Rex Espiritu
in this town devastated by landslides and floods. “We extend our deepest sympathies to every Filipino affected by Storm Kristine,” Mr. Marcos said. The President later led the distri-
Chiz, Martin hit ground running as session resumes By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel Zurbano BOTH chambers of Congress resumed session on Monday, with the House Speaker and Senate President keen on moving forward from where they left off last month.
Speaker’s ratings validate work of House—solons Senate President Francis Escudero
NEWS / A2 House Speaker Martin Romualdez set the tone for the Lower
House Speaker Martin Romualdez
Chamber by saying lawmakers are “on In remarks at the resumption of the the right side of history” for inquiring session, the Speaker vowed that lawinto the controversial drug war waged makers would vigorously pursue its inNext page by the previous administration.
Fil-Ams as divided as rest of US voters voters—PH envoy dential rivals Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, according to Jose Manuel JUST like the rest of the American “Babe” Romualdez, the Philippine enelectorate, Filipino-American voters voy to the United States. “In California, it is very clear that the are divided in their support for presi-
By Rachelle Tonelada
PARTNERSHIP. Manila Standard Publisher Rolando Estabillo, left, and Mr. Ken Sasaki, Kyodo News Manila bureau chief, seal the agreement to use stories and photos from Japan’s Kyodo News with a handshake yesterday at the Manila Standard office in Makati City. Manny Palmero
‘LTO says Senate protocol plate in viral video fake’ By Joel Zurbano and Rio Araja SENATE President Francis Escudero yesterday urged the owner of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) bearing license plate No. 7 who reportedly tried to run over a female traffic enforcer after being caught driving inside the bus lane to surface and take responsibility.
Escuderon issued the statement before the Land Transportation Office informed his office that the number “7” protocol plate used by the SUV was fake. Acting on the inquiry sought by Escudero about the incident that has since gone viral, the LTO noted that no “7” protocol plate was issued for
the vehicle. The Senate President initially aired his suspicion about the legitimacy of the protocol plate seen in the viral video—noting that the “7” plates issued to senators bear no other markings, including years or dates similar to the one seen on the SUV. Next page
majority of Filipinos are for Vice President Harris. Meanwhile in Ohio, when Filipinos are from urban cities, they are Harris. If they are from suburban areas, Next page
US MUSIC TITAN QUINCY JONES DIES AT AGE 91 SHOWBIZ / C3