The project continues as the rainy season has officially begun.
On Friday, June 26, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the continuous inspected the Quezon City Drainage Improvement Project along G. Araneta Avenue, which is part of the government’s intensified flood mitigation efforts under the Oplan Kontra Baha program.
During which, he vowed that the implementation of the project, which is designed to help ease flooding in the area, will be continuous.
In his message during the event, the President noted residents have already experienced the the new drainage project has helped floodwaters recede more quickly during heavy downpours, with flooding having long been a problem for residents, motorists and small businesses.
“Kaya napakalaking bagay na ayusin natin ito. Kaya ’yan ang ating ginawa, patuloy natin itong gagawin,” the President emphasized. “So dito pa lang ito, one half pa lang ito, kalahati pa lang ito. Gagawin din natin ‘yan dun sa kabila para talagang mabilis ang takbo ng tubig, mabilis ang paglabas ng tubig at hindi na mababaha rito sa G. Araneta Avenue, dito sa Tatalon.”
However, another problem needed to be addressed is the accumulation of garbage, which could clog the newly built drainage system.
Thus, the President said that he would cooperate with the Quezon City local government in addressing the problem, which will involve the creation of a system to ensure consistent cleanup and declogging of waterways.
Prior to this, the Chief Executive conducted a similar inspection in the G. Araneta area last May, which he said was among the critical flood-prone locations being prioritized by the government.
Similar interventions are being carried out across Metro Manila and other parts of the country, with the government having launched its Oplan Kontra Baha program for waterway clearing operations, drainage rehabilitation, and pumping station upgrades.
All these are aimed at reducing flooding in Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas nationwide.
GOVERNMENT INFRA SPENDING TO BOOST ECONOMY
Meanwhile, speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Malacañang expressed optimism that the government infrastructure spending will help boost the economy in the second quarter of the year.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration expects the resumption of infrastructure activities to contribute to economic expansion, which comes after several projects experienced delays due to the government’s review of flood control and other public works programs.
The review prompted agencies to reassess ongoing and proposed projects, resulting in temporary disruptions in some construction activities.
“Since ngayon ay gumaganda naman ang paggastos sa imprastraktura, nakikita nyo naman po. So nakikita sa second half this year ay malamang magkakaroon na ng konting improvement,” Castro said.
The government has been accelerating the implementation of infrastructure projects, particularly those that were previously approved and had already started construction but remained unfinished.
Marcos also directed concerned agencies to facilitate the release of funds for ongoing infrastructure projects to ensure their timely completion and to sustain economic activity across the country.
The move comes as the government seeks to strengthen growth drivers following a slower-than-expected economic performance in the first quarter of 2026.
During that period, the Philippine economy also faced challenges such as elevated oil prices due to the US-Iran War, inflationary pressures, and uncertainties in the global economic environment.
Government economic managers initially projected gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5 to 6 percent for 2026, but have since revised the target range to 3.5 to 4.5 percent in June.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Kim De Leon also said that recent domestic and external developments, including geopolitical uncertainties and efforts to improve governance and the quality of infrastructure implementation, require a calibrated policy response.
According to the DBM, the government “remains committed to pursuing strategic and high-quality public investments supported by stronger project preparation, integrated infrastructure planning, and improved budget execution.”
Government officials, however, said measures are now being undertaken to resume legitimate projects while ensuring transparency and accountability in public spending.