Marcos inaugurates P7.57-B flood control project in Pampanga

FLOOD CONTROL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project – Stage 1 (IDRR-CCA 1) in Masantol, Pampanga on Wednesday (Aug. 7, 2024). In a speech, Marcos stressed the potential of said flood control infrastructure to strengthen disaster resilience in the province. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the inauguration of the P7.57-billion Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project – Stage 1 (IDRR-CCA 1) in Masantol, Pampanga.

In his speech, Marcos said the project would benefit the towns of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, and Sto. Tomas.

“We are very optimistic that this will redound to improving the people’s lives by enhancing the disaster resilience of all our communities,” Marcos said during the inauguration, held in Barangay Anac in Masantol.

Funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Republic of Korea, the project aims to increase and improve the capacity of the Third River, Eastern Branch River, Caduang Tete River, and Sapang Maragul River, all tributaries of the Pampanga River.

The project includes excavation, dredging, and widening of river channels, as well as the construction of embankments to enhance flood control.

In addition, the project involves the construction of three new bridges, five footbridges, eight sluice gate structures, and 164 fish pond gates.

Marcos also thanked the South Korean government for its technical assistance in realizing the project.

The President, likewise, instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure that the second phase of the project will proceed as scheduled “to fully realize the project’s benefits and provide long-term solutions to flooding” in Pampanga.

“Let me assure all that the government, through the Public Works, will expeditiously complete the ongoing flood control projects here in Region 3 (Central Luzon),” Marcos told the Masantol residents in attendance.

He, however, conceded that game-changing flood-control projects are “only half of the solution,” noting that keeping the surroundings clean and drainages waste-free will also help mitigate floods.

“For flood control to work, we must do our part in maintaining our canals and waterways, and in recycling and properly disposing of our garbage,” Marcos said.

Popular

PBBM cites need to promote Filipino food for ‘experiential tourism’

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasized the importance of promoting Filipino native delicacies and cuisines...

Gov’t measures vs. inflationary pressures effective — NEDA

By Kris Crismundo and Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency Government efforts to control inflation are showing results as the country’s inflation rate continued to...

Palace lauds rude Russian vlogger’s arrest; persona non grata declaration looms

By Filane Mikee Cervantes | Philippine News Agency Malacañang on Friday lauded law enforcement agencies for their swift action in arresting Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy,...

Myanmar’s junta chief to head to Bangkok summit as quake toll surpasses 3,000

By Agence France-Presse The head of Myanmar's junta is expected to travel to Bangkok on Thursday for a regional summit, as the death toll from...