TO control flooding and ensure water supply in Luzon, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the construction of water-impounding facilities near Metro Manila.
Marcos gave the instruction after being briefed by members of the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) and other government agencies on the government’s comprehensive water management plan.
“So that will be the location where we will control [floodwaters] so it will no longer enter Manila and we will be able to collect water for agriculture and other uses,” Marcos said.
“We should not waste [flood] water because we need it. So let us find a way to store it,” he added.
The President said they are now eyeing several possible locations for the impounding facilities.
During the meeting, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) gave updates on their P351-billion flood control programs, and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on their management of dammed rivers.
Marcos ordered a review of the flood control projects of DPWH to determine if the agency need additional funds for the purpose.
Among those highlighted in the briefing were the ongoing flood control
projects in Pampanga, Cavite, Leyte and Cagayan De Oro City; as well as those in the pipeline in the Abra River Basin, Ranao River Basin, Tagum-Libuganon River Basin, and the Central Luzon-Pampanga.
Also discussed were the P5.86-billion rainwater collection system program under Republic Act No. 6716; installation of 6,002 rainwater collection systems nationwide; and the construction of access roads leading to irrigation areas identified by the NIA under the Katubigan Program implemented jointly with the DPWH.
Image credits: Bloomberg