By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is addressing long-standing gaps in the country’s flood control system through new and improved infrastructure projects, Malacañang said Thursday.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro acknowledged that flooding remains a perennial problem despite years of government spending on flood control projects.
Usec. Castro said recent investigations have exposed alleged “ghost projects” under both the previous and current administrations.
“Ito’y nagpapatunay lamang na sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon ay may kakulangan sa mga flood control projects at karamihan nga ay mga ghost projects hindi lang sa panahon ngayon kundi sa mga nakaraang administrasyon,” she said.
She said the findings have helped the government identify additional measures needed to ensure flood control efforts benefit not only the present generation but also succeeding ones.
“At iyan po ang pinupunan ngayon ng administrasyon. At dahil po nagkaroon ng malawakang pag-iimbestiga dito, mas nabukas sa gobyerno kung ano pa ang dapat gawin at ano pa ang maaaring proyekto para magtuloy-tuloy ang pagkontrol sa baha,” Usec. Castro said.
She said some of the administration’s initial flood control measures in Metro Manila were discussed during a situation briefing presided over by Marcos Jr. on Wednesday.
The measures have produced positive results, particularly in the faster recession of floodwaters in some areas, Usec. Castro said.
While heavy rainfall cannot be prevented from causing flooding, the administration has observed faster water recession in several areas, which President Marcos Jr. wants to replicate in other parts of the country, she added.
Usec. Castro said the government is also looking to improve undersized culverts, some of which were built after World War II and are no longer adequate for current needs.
She said Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has already implemented the proposal in some areas and is pushing for its wider adoption.
Larger culverts, Castro added, are designed to accommodate even tricycles, allowing rainwater to drain more quickly.
“So, marami pong proyekto ang Pangulo na nabanggit,” Usec. Castro said.
She also urged the public to support government flood mitigation efforts by keeping the environment clean and helping prevent conditions that contribute to flooding.
