Militant youth groups staged a protest on Thursday outside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) central office in Tondo, Manila, denouncing the rampant corruption and anomalous flood control projects.

The rally, led by students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), along with members of Anakbayan, Gabriela Youth, and the Kabataan Party-list, turned tense when demonstrators hurled paint-filled water balloons and rotten fruit at the DPWH compound.

Protesters carried placards reading, “Panagutin lahat ng korap starting from the top”, while chanting, “Marcos singilin, Duterte panagutin” and “Korap DPWH!”

“Libo-libo, milyon milyon na kinurakot ng mga contractor na pagmamay-ari ng dinastiya. Makatarungan ba na bilyon-bilyon ang inilalaan sa flood control pero baha ang dinadanas ng mamamayan,” one student activist said.

The groups singled out the recent flooding along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City last week, which submerged parts of Loyola Heights and reached above head level near Ateneo de Manila University—an area not usually prone to such severe floods.

They demanded accountability for “ghost” and substandard flood control projects.

“Lubog sa pag-ulan, lubog sa kahirapan. Kaya naman nandito ang kabataan para ihayag ang pagkondena sa korapsyon at lantarang pagpapabaya ng ating gobyerno sa mamamayan para naman ilantad ang mismong nangyayari sa mga komunidad pati na rin sa mga paaralan,” a protester shouted.

The groups also accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte of failing to address recurring floods nationwide, while alleging that DPWH projects are being used as a source of kickbacks for political dynasties.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan was specifically named in speeches as allegedly benefiting from misused public funds.

“Kaliwat kanan po ang pag-ulan at ang pagbaha sa mga komunidad ng mga Pilipino, hindi lang sa Metro Manila bagkus sa iba’t ibang parte ng ating bansa pero malinaw na walang tugon si Marcos Jr. at Sara Duterte sa kaliwa’t kanang pagbaha sa mga komunidad. Malalaman natin Samar governor Sharee [Ann] Tan na nagpapakasasa sa nagpapaulan sa pera ng taumbayan,” one of the activists said.

"Serbisyo sa tao, huwag gawing negosyo," they said.

The rallyists called for the prosecution of DPWH officials and contractors tied to the questionable projects which leave communities submerged during heavy rains.