Human rights organization iDEFEND criticized a recent social gathering at Malacañang while residents across Metro Manila and Central Luzon endured nearly three weeks of floodwaters.
iDEFEND Spokesperson Judy Pasimio urged executive leadership to focus on structural solutions to chronic flooding rather than recreational events.
The group noted that urban runoff is exacerbated by high levels of paved infrastructure combined with environmental degradation in the Sierra Madre mountain range from corporate projects.
Pasimio emphasized that without concrete government action, communities will face recurring flood disasters during heavy rainfall events.
