The Marcos administration has expressed open-mindedness toward adopting the flood control blueprint drawn up during the presidency of the late Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, subject to a complete re-evaluation.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified during an August 27 press briefing that while the current leadership is not dismissing the previous framework, any strategy must undergo rigorous study to protect the public from severe downpours.
“Hindi po sinasara ng administrasyon ang patungkol sa masterplan, pero still dapat lahat itong aralin kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa ating bansa, kung paano mas matutugunan ang problema sa pagbaha, lalong-lalo na kung talagang napakalakas ng buhos ng ulan,” Castro stated.
She emphasized that multiple measures can be executed simultaneously to address severe flooding, provided they integrate seamlessly.
“So, lahat ng plano na puwedeng gamitin para matugunan ang problema sa pagbaha ay puwede namang gamiting sabay-sabay. Gawing sabay-sabay ng hindi naman magkakaroon ng problema,” she noted.
Addressing reports regarding the plan’s status, Castro explained that although the blueprint was reportedly turned over to the Duterte administration, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed no copy was received by the current administration.
“Ang kopya ang naiwan diumano sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte. Pero, sa huli kong pakikipag-usap pa kay Secretary (Manuel) Bonoan noon, ang sabi po niya, noong tinanong po natin itong masterplan na ito ay wala daw po silang natanggap,” she explained.
For now, DPWH continues to focus on location-tailored solutions by managing flood control efforts on a per-river-basin basis.
“So, ngayon, ang pinapairal po ng DPWH inaaral muna ang—kumbaga aayusin po ang flood control, per major river basin plan at iyon ang nakikita nila sa ngayon na ugma or tugma sa pinaka-lokasyon ng ating bansa,” Castro added.