PBBM seeks passage of ‘Waste-to-Energy Bill’ to support gov’t flood control system

WATER MANAGEMENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 6th Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday (Sept. 25, 2024). During the meeting, Marcos called for reorganization of the water management process in the country, in connection with flooding mitigation and irrigation systems. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

By Brian Jules Campued

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called for the passing of the “Waste-to-Energy Bill” to address flooding woes in the country.

In the 6th Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) full meeting with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senate President Francis Escudero, and some Cabinet members in Malacañang on Wednesday, Marcos cited the need to revisit the proposed measure as it is an essential piece in the government’s flood control program.

The Chief Executive stressed that waste-to-energy projects have to be implemented at the local government level as these initiatives have reduced flooding by 40%.

“I think ‘waste-to-energy’ now has taken on a new role. It is no longer just for garbage, or waste disposal or waste management. It is also now very much part of the flood control effort,” the President said, as quoted by a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

The Waste-to-Energy Bill was approved on third reading by the House of Representatives; it is still pending for the second reading at the Senate.

Meanwhile, Marcos also pushed for the creation of a Department of Water Resources that would reorganize the entire water management process in the country, noting that water problems need to be addressed through a “comprehensive plan”.

“The mayor of a municipality will only think about what’s happening in their municipality. But water just doesn’t work that way,” the President explained.

“Hindi nangingilala ng boundary ang tubig, kung saan-saan. Basta kung saan ’yong puwedeng daanan, dumadaan doon,” he added.

The President said he prefers to give the flood control mitigation to the proposed water resources body, with the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) as one of its coordinating agencies.

“That’s why there has to be an overall plan. So, I really think that we have to include all of those agencies,” he said. —iro

Popular

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...

PBBM reciprocates VP Sara’s gratitude on helping her mend ties with dad

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency “Glad I could help.” This was the response of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., according to Palace Press...