By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Government agencies will be working together for the implementation of a flood mitigation program in the province of Cebu, which experienced massive flooding due to Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi).
According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Vince Dizon, they are looking to implement the flood control master plan laid down during the previous administration.
He said they will also consult former DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson and several other government agencies on the program, which is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order for the immediate and correct implementation of a flood mitigation project in Cebu to prevent a repeat of severe flooding.
“We took the guidance of Sec. Babes (Singson) because he is more familiar with the masterplan from the previous administrations. Sec. Babes said: ‘the plans are there, they just need to be implemented, but they are not being implemented correctly’,” Dizon added in a statement Wednesday.
He noted that the President directed him to consult Singson on the proper implementation of the flood control masterplan.
The DPWH chief explained that there is no need to change the masterplan because it already contains all the steps and directions for its proper implementation.
“There is no need to plan, no need to study because [everything] is already in the plan,” he said.
The DPWH, Dizon said, will collaborate with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the implementation.
On Tuesday, the three agencies’ heads discussed the implementation of the project.
Typhoon Tino claimed at least 232 lives, including 150 from Cebu, due to massive flooding when it hit the Visayas last week.
