Marcos: Issue timely cyclone advisories

MANILA, Philippines — A week after monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Carina devastated Metro Manila and nearby provinces, President Marcos instructed agencies to provide timely advisories of upcoming cyclones to ensure public safety.

“We are committed to developing technology to protect lives from future calamities,” Marcos posted on Facebook.

La Niña preparations were discussed yesterday during a sectoral meeting led by Marcos at Malacañang.

Around 1.3 million families or 4.8 million persons in 17 regions, 63 provinces and 4,227 barangays were affected by the combined weather disturbances, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The death toll was at 39, with nine injured and 732,000 persons in 557 evacuation centers.

Damage to infrastructure reached P4.26 billion and agricultural damage was at P551.78 million.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan yesterday said the implementation of the flood control master plan could reduce Metro Manila flooding by 70 to 80 percent.

Asked if the plan would be fully implemented within Marcos’ term, Bonoan said, “Maybe not all, I think we’ll try to maximize whatever we can during this administration.”

Projects such as the Marikina dam and the Parañaque spillway were already in a master plan during the time of Marcos’ late father and namesake, but they were not implemented due to “many sociopolitical issues.”

In a recent interview, Bonoan said the flood management master plan is below 30 percent complete.

The master plan, which requires a P351-billion budget, was approved during the administration of late president Benigno Aquino III in 2012.

In 2013, then public works secretary Rogelio Singson said the plan would only be fully implemented in 2035 as it entails large-scale infrastructure projects.

Aside from the flood control master plan, the government has also crafted a comprehensive drainage master plan that spans 50 to 60 years.

The World Bank has approved the funding for the plan, which seeks to address Metro Manila’s “antiquated” drainage system, according to acting Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes.

“We are just waiting for the extension of the loan facility