DPWH Speaks on Flood Control Projects in PH Following Tyhoon Carina’s Wrath
DPWH – The Department of Public Works and Highways admitted that the Philippines has no integrated national flood control plan despite massive funding.
Typhoon Carina left several areas in the Philippines under a state of calamity due to flooding. The wrath of the natural calamity damaged houses and livelihoods of several families. Many people were left homeless and living in evacuation centers due to the typhoon.
Typhoon Carina brought heavy rains and strong winds which damaged houses. The storm also intensified the southwest monsoon or habagat in the country. Countless homes were in deep flooding.
During the third State of the Nation Address or SONA of President Bongbong Marcos, the Chief Executive expressed his pride on the programs and projects that the government has against flooding. However, Marcos also seeks a National Flood Control Plan.
Recently, the Department of Public Works and Highways or more popularly known as the DPWH spoke on the flood control projects and programs in the Philippines. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the department admitted that there is no integrated flood control master plan in the country despite the massive funding allocated.
According DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan, the 5,500 finished flood control projects that Pres. Marcos announced during his SONA were just immediate relief projects which have started during the previous administration. However, the said projects were delayed by the pandemic.
Bonoan clarified that the said immediate relief projects are not part of an integrated master plan against flooding. Based on the report, the DPWH Secretary said that those engineering interventions are in line with the pursuit to provide relief in the low lying areas.
According to Bonoan, there are several master plans in 18 major river basins that are currently under preparation. He expressed that he will check on the river basins and some of them are still being updated due to factors like the climate change.
Senator Joel Villanueva expressed his disappointment over the flood control programs in the Philippines.
“Yung 5,500 pala na programs projects na natapos na ipinagmalaki ng ating pangulo ay patsi-patsi lang. Di rin nakatulong kasi patsi-patsi nga po,” the Senator said.
Villanueva stressed that there is no existing master or integrated plan against flooding in the country based on the DPWH’s statement. According to him, if the flood control projects are not integrated, a project can prevent flooding in one place but will result to flooding in another area.