The home of great leaders is now the home of a massive fluke in flood control.
In Batac City, Ilocos Norte—the Quiaoit River experiences what it’s like living under the sea, with brown particles as its base color. What was once a vital water source for farming and local use has turned into nothing but a puddle of muddy reflection for the pathetic attempts at hiding their crocodile faces.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan presented the approved PHP 2.98 billion provincial budget for 2026 on December 1, 2025. The Provincial Treasury Office estimated that the budget went up by 9% from the 2025 budget of PHP 2.70 billion. It is useless considering what truly matters is what the people have to endure every wet season. Vice Governor Manotoc even ensured that these funds would help Ilocanos and strengthen their community, yet Ilocanos have yet to feel and even see where the budget stands as of August.
With such huge budget allocations given to the home province of the current president—Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—you’d think his home province would be thriving right now. However, as we see it today, these sums of money have gone nowhere, as floods in Ilocos Norte, especially in areas where there have been attempts to fix and control flooding, such as Laoag City, have significantly worsened after their implementation.
Even when the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon inspected the Quiaoit Bridge in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, and other places in the Philippines, he cussed—which is relevant because many mentioned that the people do not need “bad words,” but action, hinting that mere words cannot fulfill them. Many Ilocano netizens and citizens outside of the internet have agreed with the narrative that the flood control projects that were implemented essentially did nothing but cause more harm than good.
If you were to ask any Ilocano living in Ilocos Norte about their living situation after the massive typhoons hitting the upper part of the Philippines, as well as the Southwest Monsoon, they’d tell you that the floods have gotten worse after the implementation of their so-called “flood control.” Aside from the failed flood control in Laoag City, other locations include the Bolo River in Ilocos Norte, where a portion of the river has broken sections lying on the riverbed and the river’s revetment appears washed out. Even in areas where tsunamis are very possible, like Brgy. Pasaleng, Pagudpud, culverts scattered in its rivers show just how unstable the projects are throughout Ilocos Norte.
Many Ilocanos have spoken up with video evidence of these failed flood control projects throughout Laoag City. A post from Aldrin Lucas Travel clearly showed how Laoag City has no way of controlling the bodies of water the weather has brought them. Many netizens showed concern and anger, demanding that the government do its job and fix the projects so the water actually has a way to move rather than just being stuck in place, worsening the flood and creating unclear pathways for citizens. The post contained a video wherein the water was up to the height of the lower body, while cars and even people struggled to cross the unjustifiably flooded streets. This is proven by citizens outside of the internet and even the Ilocano netizens themselves.
The government claimed that they are trying their best to solve the flood issue, yet are they really trying, or are they playing in our faces the way the entire government body is?
This is true not only for Ilocos Norte, but also for the entire country. The numbers in the budgets given to flood control are merely displayed figures if the people the government is serving are still affected by these heavy typhoons and the aftermath of these natural disasters.
Floods are still happening everywhere. Classes are constantly suspended, and under the Philippine Labor Code from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a principle states that “No work, no pay,” meaning even under weather circumstances, if a workday is suspended, the employee will not receive their regular daily wages. No work, no pay means no way of providing for their families or even themselves. Workers outside of the government do not get paid, yet those inside who do not even do their jobs do.
Families, students, workers—anyone who is remotely within the vicinity of flood-prone areas—we are all played at the hands of gambling jokers dressed up in luxurious designer brands, with our pennies as their payment. All while they continue to perform in front of us, showing off their acting skills by screaming cuss words at their fellow crocodiles as some sort of whistle-blow.
Written by diamondintheiris, Insight PH
diamondintheiris, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
