The residence of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Usec. Nicolas Torre III in Davao City was flooded anew, prompting him to question the effectiveness of flood control systems in the area.

In a statement posted online, Torre said his house in NHA Bangkal, Barangay Talomo, has repeatedly experienced flooding over the years. He stressed that the property is registered under his and his spouse’s name, affirming his status as a resident of the city.

“Hindi ito ang unang beses na binaha ang bahay na iyan,” Torre said, noting he had previously refrained from speaking publicly to avoid politicizing the issue.

Torre said the recurring flooding affects not only his household but also many families across Davao City who face similar conditions annually.

He acknowledged that some attribute the flooding to natural factors such as mountain runoff and the city’s catch basin geography, but argued these conditions are not new.

“Kung alam na pala natin ang problema, mas lalo dapat alam na rin natin ang solusyon,” he said.

Torre pointed out that billions of pesos have been spent on flood control projects, emphasizing that such systems are meant not to stop rainfall but to prevent floodwaters from entering homes.

“Kung ganito pa rin ang nangyayari, gumagana ba talaga ang sistema?” he said.

He added that the measure of effective flood control should not be the number of projects completed but the reduction in the number of families affected by flooding.