President Marcos wants flood control masterplan

MANILA, Philippines — The country needs to have a flood control masterplan as it braces for more torrential rain during the typhoon season that is expected to be worsened by the looming La Niña and climate change, President Marcos said yesterday.

Marcos visited and inspected Quezon and Rizal, two of the provinces inundated by incessant rains from Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon-induced rains in the past days.

“Water doesn’t recognize boundaries. That’s why flood control has to be a big plan,” Marcos said.

He said the comprehensive national plan on flood control should cover several regions, adding it also needs to consider the changing weather patterns due to climate change that threaten communities which previously have not been affected by floods.

“Let’s prepare for the next flood. This is the first typhoon within La Niña. This might be prolonged. So, we have to prepare for that. Let’s think about preparing for that,” the President said.

According to Marcos, former public works and highways secretary Rogelio Singson has crafted a flood management masterplan that would be implemented over more than two decades. But the plan should be expanded, he said.

“Although it will work... and it crosses most of Luzon, for the NCR (National Capital Region). But we have no choice, we have to do something. We have to learn how to handle the new normal,” the Chief Executive said, adding the plan would take 20 to 22 years.

Marcos was referring to the P350-billion flood control masterplan, which was expected to benefit about 1.2 million people.

The President said because of sea level rise caused by climate change, the dikes built across the country could no longer protect low-lying communities during high tides.

Building higher dikes, however, would not solve the problem, Marcos said, adding the flood control masterplan must manage flooding to protect “production areas, residential communities and other important infrastructure.”

The President also expressed hope the country could tap assistance from the Loss and Damage Fund to find better solutions to flooding and other effects of climate change.

Meanwhile, Rizal Gov. Nina Ynarez told Marcos that the newly