Ateneo, La Salle Join 126 Groups Pushing Reforms

Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Philippines, and the De La Salle Brothers have joined 126 organizations and 191 people in calling for systematic reforms amid the flood control scandal.

- By BELLA CARIASO

As of 7 p.m. on Sept. 9, 126 organizations and 191 people representing the church, scientific community, academe, civil society, business, military and uniformed personnel, labor unions and federations, typhoon survivors, disaster response volunteers, commuters, and youth groups signed the joint statement as they expressed indignation at the multibillion-peso flood control scandal that has harmed and killed Filipinos in a climate crisis that brings the country even deadlier storms.

"We express our outrage at government officials, politicians, contractors, private sector parties—and their relatives—who unabashedly flaunt their lavish lifestyles as they steal our hard-earned taxpayer money. We have had enough. We need to escape this vicious cycle. We must reject the system of corruption that kills our fellow Filipinos and erodes our confidence in government," the manifesto said.

The signatories asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to convene an independent multisectoral review committee of scientists, civil society groups and local communities to study current projects and resubmit 2026 proposals based on proper science.

"The government must move away from mostly cement-based flood control infrastructure towards nature-based flood management solutions like reforestation, watershed restoration, and other sustainable solutions rooted in broader principles of integrated water resource management. The committee must review existing studies of the country's 18 major river basins and ensure that projects follow the 5Rs: the right projects, at the right cost, with the right quality, implemented by the right people, delivered right on time," the joint statement said.

The signatories asked President Marcos to veto projects that do not adhere to proper science, to send a credible message to Congress.