Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lamented unfinished flood control projects in Bulacan as he acknowledged that deficiencies in infrastructure contributed to severe flooding in Central Luzon.
Marcos said the volume of rain overwhelmed existing flood management systems across Region 3.
“Halimbawa sa Bulacan na mga flood control na hindi naman nagawa kaya nagkakaganito,” Marcos said following a situation briefing in Pampanga on Monday, Aug. 24.
(Translation: For example, there are flood control projects in Bulacan that were not completed, which is why this is happening.)
The president, however, said the flooding could not be attributed to problematic flood control projects alone.
“Ngunit kailangan din natin maunawaan na hindi lang dahil sa problema ng flood control project kung hindi pati na sa lakas talaga ng ulan na hindi pa natin nakita sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said.
(Translation: But we also have to understand that this is not only because of problems with flood control projects, but also because of the intensity of rainfall that we have not seen before in Philippine history.)
Marcos attributed the extreme rainfall to climate change.
“Kailangan maunawaan din ng tao na iyong climate change ay talagang nandito na at diyan tayo naapektuhan,” he said.
(Translation: People also need to understand that climate change is already here and we are already being affected by it.)
The flooding comes as the government continues investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects across the country.
Bulacan has figured prominently in the controversy following government inspections of projects that were allegedly nonexistent, incomplete or substandard.
Immediate repairs
Marcos said damaged infrastructure would be repaired once conditions allow authorities to fully assess the destruction.
“Yung immediate term, siyempre aayusin natin iyong mga nasira at papalitan natin lahat ng mga nasira,” he said.
(Translation: In the immediate term, of course, we will repair what was damaged and replace everything that was destroyed.)
Some flooded areas remain inaccessible for a complete damage assessment.
The government is also monitoring the weather before undertaking repairs that could again be damaged by another round of flooding.
“Medyo kailangan natin alalayan at bantayan na mabuti na maging effective kung ano man ang gagawin natin ay magiging matibay at hindi mawawala at hindi masisira sa susunod na baha,” Marcos said.
(Translation: We have to carefully monitor this to make sure that whatever we do will be effective, durable and will not be destroyed by the next flood.)
Dams, 100-kilometer dike eyed
Marcos said the government is looking at short-, medium- and long-term measures to address flooding in Central Luzon.
Five dams along the Sabu River in Nueva Ecija are among the projects being considered for immediate development. Marcos said the dams could capture water flowing from the Sierra Madre.
He said the structures could also reduce siltation and store water for households, industry and agriculture.
The government is also studying a much larger project involving a road-dike extending as far as Pilar, Bataan.
“That’s about a hundred kilometers. Medyo matatagalan, pero pinag-aaralan na natin,” Marcos said.
(Translation: That’s about a hundred kilometers. It will take some time, but we are already studying it.)
Marcos said the proposed structure would help prevent water from Manila Bay from inundating low-lying areas.
