PUBLIC Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan yesterday said flood control projects of the Marcos administration undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are “ongoing and on track” amid criticisms that government’s anti-flooding programs are ineffective following the floods in Pampanga and in Bulacan.
“Ongoing pa rin iyung mga projects that we’re implementing (The projects we’re implementing are still ongoing),” Bonoan said in a press briefing in Malacañang following a sectoral meeting with President Marcos Jr.
He said the projects are covered by the 2023 budget and the DPWH has at least two years to complete some of these programs.
Senate public works committee chairman Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. has questioned the massive flooding in at least 425 areas during super typhoon Egay despite the budget allotted for flood control programs under the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Bonoan said: “I think they (senators) have quoted actually the total amount of about P180 billion, but this amount is distributed all throughout the country. They are ongoing. They are on track actually. In our budget, we have two years to implement all these projects.”
He said there were delays in the implementation of “small” flood control projects, but these are now all ongoing.
“I can admit that there are some projects that have been delayed, maliliit lang naman (these are small projects), (but) most of them are ongoing right now,” he said without naming the projects that were delayed.
The projects, he said, encountered problems on right of way and land acquisition issues, and inclement weather.
In a related development, Bonoan said a technical study would still be done on the directive of the President to build rain impounding areas in Pampanga to control flooding in the province during heavy downpours.
He added that while the President has approved the elevation of structures such as bridges and roads in San Simon in Pampanga at the North Luzon Expressway to ease heavy traffic in the area especially during flooding, the DPWH is still looking for funds to finance the project.
He said it would take at least a month to complete the construction once funds are available.
Bonoan and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista both assured the President that ongoing infrastructure projects are compliant with all requirements and accepted practices including ensuring that debris from constructions do not clog nearby tributaries and waterways which could eventually cause flooding during heavy rains.
Bonoan said both he and Bautista had committed to ensure that ongoing projects under their respective departments would continue to comply with correct standards and practices.
On the other hand, Bonoan said one of the factors that contributed to the flooding in Bulacan was the shallow riverbeds in the area, which he said needs to be dredged and widened.
Bulacan officials said debris from constructions of bypass roads in San Rafael and the commuter railway in Malolos have blocked the natural water passageways and added to the flooding in the province.
Meanwhile, the Marikina City government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held the Gawad Taga-Ilog roadshow to showcase the city’s sustainable solid waste management that has kept its waterways clean and garbage-free.
The local government and the DENR set up an exhibit, conducted a short program, and distributed promotional materials at the Marikina City Hall Tuesday morning.
The Gawad Taga-Ilog (GTI) Roadshow 2023 is a DENR promotional activity that showcases vital information about their popular contest, the Gawad Taga-Ilog, along with supporting visuals.
Mayor Marcelino R. Teodoro vowed to sustain all the city’s best practices in solid waste management and further improve the support of the local government unit to the programs. — With Christian Oineza
