By Brian Campued
University of the Philippines professor and Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) executive director Mahar Lagmay on Tuesday underscored the importance of science-based solutions in addressing the perennial issue of flooding in the country.
In an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Lagmay noted that through the “Oplan Kontra Baha,” the government is working closely with the academe and the private sector to develop both short- and long-term flood management measures.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) launched Oplan Kontra Baha last year, a multi-sectoral campaign to clear clogged and polluted waterways and drainages in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Naga, and other parts of the country to reduce floods during heavy rains.
“Ngayon ang ating Oplan Kontra Baha, hindi lamang diretsong iisip tayo—maglagay ng dike, magtanggal ng basura—mas comprehensive po ang ginagawa natin, mas may scientific basis, targeted, para yung ating investments ay hindi nasasayang,” Lagmay said.
He noted that when it comes to the proposed flood control projects, the DPWH consults with the UP NOAH Center regarding the designs of structures before construction begins to see if they are feasible.
“Bago sila mag-implement ng structure, tinitingnan namin yun, binibigay nila sa amin yung design, para bago ilagay or bago mag-invest ay nakikita na namin kung effective siya o hindi, kung gaano kadami ang ibabawas na baha, gaano kabilis dadaloy yung baha, mawawala yung baha,” he said.
“Yun ang science, before you make investments in the real world, we can simulate and see the efficiency, the benefit as against the cost.”
Lagmay also emphasized that flooding is caused by overlapping environmental and infrastructure-related issues, which must be addressed by multiple coordinated solutions.
In the short term, the Project NOAH official said it is important to keep the surroundings clean, conduct regular dredging, and add more functional pumping stations in strategic locations while ramping up public awareness efforts regarding hazard-prone areas.
As for long-term solutions, Lagmay cited nature-based solutions such as tree planting, establishment of retention basins, and protection of vegetated areas.
“Yung mga natural na malalaking lugar tapos vegetated, poprotektahan natin yun para sumisipsip sila ng tubig, nag-iimbak ng tubig, para dumaloy yung tubig, hindi sabay-sabay sa ilog. So nababawasan yung tubig, mas manageable,” he explained.
He also stressed the need for land-use planning, where settlements, critical infrastructure, schools, and hospitals, among other structures, are strategically built in non-hazardous areas.
However, in highly urbanized areas, where land use planning could be difficult to implement, Lagmay noted a more technologically advanced approach, including declogging of drainage systems, strict waste management, and dredging of waterways.
“Kailangan natin mass education para sa mga taong nakatira sa natural na bahaing lugar, tapos kailangan ng more awareness at saka more participation ng mga tao kasi ang responsibilidad naman ng pag-iwas sa mga risk related doon sa pagbaha ay responsibility [ng] lahat—hindi lamang po ng gobyerno, kundi ng bawat indibidwal; hindi lamang ng LGU, kundi bawat komunidad,” Lagmay said.
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