PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday proposed a national flood control plan following the massive flooding unleashed by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
During a situation briefing in Mauban, Quezon, Marcos said floodwaters could affect vast areas, “so flood control has to be a big plan.”
“It will have to be a national plan. Now, especially when it comes to Mindanao, we will see what to do,” Marcos said.
The President said that Metro Manila’s flood control system is working, but it was overwhelmed by the combined effects of Carina, the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” and the high tide.
In the long term, flood control projects must be all-encompassing and should cover a wide range of areas that are now prone to flooding, Marcos said.
He said that with the rise in the sea level, the dikes built to protect low-lying communities could be breached during high tide.
“We have to understand the flow of the water and how to somehow manage it so that it does not flood the productive areas, the households, the residential communities. You cannot do this in one province, one town. This plan will span regions,” he said.
Marcos said there was a comprehensive flood control plan in the past, but it would take at least two decades to realize.
“There’s already a big plan during the time of Secretary Babes Singson, but it will take 20 years, 22 years. It has a huge cost, although it will work. But I don’t know how will we do it and it crosses most of Luzon,” he added, referring to former Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson.
Marcos also stressed the need to prepare for the next flood, noting that Carina was just the first typhoon during the La Niña phenomenon.
The President went to Quezon a day after he inspected flooded areas in the cities of Valenzuela and Navotas.
Reports from the Department of Interior and Local Government showed the municipality of Agdangan in Quezon was hard-hit by Typhoons Aghon, Carina and the southwest monsoon.
Almost a thousand families in Agdangan were affected by Carina.
The typhoon also shut down seaports in Real, Infanta, Polilio, Patnanungan, Jomalig and Burdeos.
From Quezon, the President proceeded to San Mateo, Rizal, for another situation briefing.
During the briefing, the President ordered the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to use helicopters to bring government assistance to about 3,000 families still stranded in Sta. Ines, Tanay, due to flooded roads.
The provincial government of Rizal had requested for aid to be airdropped to Sta. Ines, but upon learning there was a landing site for helicopters there, Marcos directed the OCD to coordinate with the Department of National Defense to send helicopters instead.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon ‘Carina’ and the province of Rizal at the San Mateo municipal hall on July 26, 2024. The death toll has risen to at least 14, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). PHOTOS BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon ‘Carina’ and the province of Rizal at the San Mateo municipal hall on July 26, 2024. The death toll has risen to at least 14, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). PHOTOS BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon ‘Carina’ and the province of Rizal at the San Mateo municipal hall on July 26, 2024. The death toll has risen to at least 14, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). PHOTOS BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon ‘Carina’ and the province of Rizal at the San Mateo municipal hall on July 26, 2024. The death toll has risen to at least 14, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). PHOTOS BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/PPA POOL
Rizal experienced widespread flooding and damage to livelihood and infrastructure. Thousands of residents also sought shelter in temporary evacuation centers.
The heavy rainfall and floods it brought prompted the Rizal towns of Cainta, San Mateo, Taytay, Morong, Rodriguez and Angono to declare a state of calamity.
Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares said three of the 14 towns in the province were badly hit by the typhoon. Two people have died, eight were injured, and one was missing.
The Department of Trade and Industry has imposed a price freeze on various goods and commodities in areas under a state of calamity in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).
The Department of Budget and Management also issued an order to expedite the allotment of funds for relief packages that will be distributed in the affected areas.