Manila, Sept. 1 -- Malacanang said the country's persistent flooding is rooted in decades-old neglect and failures in urban planning and flood-control implementation, stressing that the problem cannot be attributed solely to the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said shortcomings in flood management have accumulated over several administrations, with experts estimating that proper planning and infrastructure measures have not been fully implemented for about 40 years.

"Ayaw nating magkaroon ng turuan kung sino ang may kasalanan o kung sino iyong gumagawa ng trabaho dahil hindi po ito sa kasalukuyan o sa nakaraang tatlong taon ang sanhi ng problema (We do not want to point fingers at ...