Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) member organizations marched to Mendiola in Manila on August 7 to assail and hold the Marcos regime accountable for neglecting victims of floods caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina, as well as the ongoing oil spill in Manila Bay. They accused the regime of failing to stop the reclamation of Manila Bay and its plunder of funds for flood-control projects.

“After a year since President Marcos Jr verbally suspended reclamations in Manila Bay, the projects remain a threat to the livelihood of fisherfolks, and have even recently proven to be a threat to the safety of many residents during calamities,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas stated. “That the piling and dredging in Manila Bay caused the severe flooding during the height of typhoons Carina and Habagat is no surprise to many residents.”

The groups also held San Miguel Corporation, which owns the oil that is now leaking into Manila Bay, responsible. The rallyists threw mud at the pictures of Marcos and Ramon Ang, who owns San Miguel, to symbolize their anger and underscore their demands.

The Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, AGHAM, PAMALAKAYA, other organizations and some residents of the communities affected by the typhoon and oil spill participated in the protest.