Real Estate

Flood politics, property risks dominate Aug. 26 discourse

On August 26, Philippine online conversation and news coverage centered on flood control failures, political accountability, and their implications for real estate. The Palace ordered a review of 13,970 flood projects, a governor challenged P41 billion in spending, and developers announced expansions amid infrastructure and safety concerns.

By the MMI Real Estate Desk

The day's conversation opened on a security scare and quickly widened into a political storm over flood control that carries direct consequences for property developers and buyers. On the morning of August 26, a reported shooting threat at San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa prompted the school to suspend face-to-face classes and deploy explosive ordnance disposal units for precautionary sweeps. A Reddit post about the incident drew 24 upvotes and 4 downvotes, reflecting moderate but engaged concern among parents and residents in a dense residential corridor where several condominium projects rely on the area's family-oriented appeal. The threat was later declared unverified, and the campus was cleared by police, but the episode fed a broader anxiety following the [Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting](https://media-meter.com/report-library/floods-shooting-and-graft-probes-dominate-aug-18 "Floods shooting and graft probes dominate aug 18") on August 18, in which a 14-year-old student opened fire, killing one and himself. For property stakeholders, the message was immediate: perceived safety shapes preselling momentum and move-in acceptance in nearby developments.

By midday, the narrative shifted to infrastructure accountability. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced a review of 13,970 flood control projects completed under the previous administration, explicitly citing the unfinished [Davao City flood control project](https://media-meter.com/report-library/impeachment-trial-flood-control-scandal-dominate-july-29 "Impeachment trial flood control scandal dominate july 29") started in 2019 and a decade of zero dredging. "Doon po sa lubog na ang bansa sa baha, totoo naman po, kitang-kita natin ito sa Davao City," she said on Facebook, a post that drew only 2 likes but 4 "haha" reactions—a sign of public skepticism toward government claims. The review, ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., directs the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to verify whether reported projects physically exist, a move that introduces regulatory and reputational risk for developers whose township projects depend on public infrastructure completion.

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