The Senate will investigate the perennial problem of flooding and set to form a comprehensive master plan that would integrate regional flood control programs in the country.

In a Zoom interview with reporters on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said that the chamber will investigate the government's measures to safeguard Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas in support of legislation, next week, August 9.

The terrible flooding that has afflicted barangays in Bulacan, Villanueva's native province, has outraged him.

According to the Senator, the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) extensive flood management plan for Central Luzon, known as the nation's rice granary, has not yet succeeded in reducing floods in the region.

He noted that the Senate will question DPWH officials for failure to curb flooding despite its flood control budget this year of P182 billion, and the increase next year to P215.6 billion.

"It’s just heartbreaking to know we have a flood control program and yet the province suffered from flooding. I’m not just pointing fingers at the DPWH, but all agencies of the government," the Senator said.

Senators are proposing a comprehensive integrated master plan that would streamline flood management initiatives in regions across the nation that are prone to flooding.

In order to handle the El Nino phenomenon, which was highlighted in the second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Villanueva claimed that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos is open to having a significant flood management master plan, which may be included in the mission of the proposed Department of Water Resource Management.