Manila, Aug. 10 -- A senator on Monday called for the creation of a comprehensive national flood management plan and a full accounting of public funds allocated for flood control projects nationwide.

In a statement, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the southwest monsoon ("habagat") has triggered flooding in several parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and disrupting classes, work, transportation and other daily activities over the past week.

He said flooding should not be treated as a normal occurrence and urged the government to pursue long-term solutions to protect communities.

Pangilinan lamented that Filipinos continue to depend heavily on emergency response during calamities instead o...