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Ph has no integrated flood master plan
By J.Lo
“When we came in, we found out that there were several master plans in 18 major river basins in various stages of preparations…most of master plans are being updated at this point in time, taking into account climate change phenomenon and other factors that have to be incorporated into master plan,” Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted before Senate panel although there are several flood control projects in metropolis and all over the country, these are not integrated into comprehensive master plan that could prevent flooding in 18 major river basins.
Bonoan confirmed 5,521 flood control projects, touted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) are actually “immediate relief flood mitigation projects” in low-lying areas, and not part of any comprehensive master plan.
Senators criticized lack of integrated flood control master plan, could have mitigated difficulty experienced by people in Metro Manila during onslaught of Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon last week.
Senate committee on public works questioned officials of Department of Public Works and Highways and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) why their flood control projects failed to address the problem, kept occuring every time country is hit by typhoons and bad weather.
Bonoan’s admission confirmed senators’ suspicions that lack of comprehensive master plan worsens flooding every typhoon season.
“So there is admission that an integrated master plan does not exist, because these are separate, piecemeal projects not aligned with each other,” Sen. Imee Marcos said .
Marcos bared zero budget in 2025 National Expenditure Program for foreign-assisted flood control projects,instead were put under unprogrammed funds.
Sen. Joel Villanueva said lack of planning also means floodwaters in Metro Manila subside, but remain longer in nearby catch basin provinces like Bulacan.
Country spends P1.44 billion per day for flood control projects, only go down drain every rainy season, Villanueva said.
Bonoan said integrating all flood control masterplans would take time as there is need to first conduct feasibility study and detailed engineering design, as well as secure financing program with lending institution.
“There is engineering component, there is social component, and there is environmental component in master plan,” Bonoan said.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said indiscriminate garbage dumping clogs waterways and slows down flow of floodwater into sea.
Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources is conducting “cumulative impact assessment” to determine if Manila Bay reclamation project worsened flooding in coastal areas.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said initial study indicated reclamation projects impede flow of water and changes circulation and retention of pollutants and organic materials in the bay.
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