President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured Filipinos Saturday that his administration is implementing long-term strategies to address flooding across the country.
During a visit to Naga City, Marcos inspected desilting operations under Oplan Kontra Baha, focusing on Sagop Creek in Triangulo village and Concepcion Pequeña.
“This is only the beginning. Ito, desiltation lamang ito… this is not going to be one time. We will keep doing this until we have the more long-term solutions,” Marcos said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways leads the program, which involves clearing canals, dredging rivers, rehabilitating pumping stations, and maintaining flood-control structures.
“Malaking trabaho ito. It will take time but marami na tayo mga intervention na pwedeng gawin,” Marcos noted, acknowledging climate change’s role in worsening flooding.
Naga City was selected as a pilot site due to its location within the Bicol River Basin. Initial operations have removed 2,350 cubic meters of silt, vegetation, and debris.
Similar initiatives are ongoing in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod, with plans to expand to Laguna, Iloilo City, and Cagayan de Oro, highlighting the government’s push for sustained, area-specific flood mitigation.