Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has urged the government to finally implement the ₱540-billion flood control master plan centered on the country’s river basin systems, stressing that recurring floods can only be solved through “good governance and proper water management.”
“Well, immediately, sabi kasi nila, parang Ondoy in Cebu. And Ondoy was 2009. In other words, hindi tayo natuto sa nangyari noong 2009,” Pangilinan said in a recent television interview.
“Fifteen years later, ayan na, nangyari naman sa Cebu. And yes, the flood control programs, projects—obviously, hindi siya effective. Hindi napapatupad yung master plan.”
The senator said he discussed the issue years ago with former DPWH Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, who is now part of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“Sabi niya, anything that you put sa baba ng river basin system na hindi niyo inaayos yung sa taas ay mawa-wash out yung mga nasa baba, lalo na kung substandard,” Pangilinan explained.
“So talagang yung master plan for flood control should really include infrastructure that will address yung buong river basin system from the watershed down to the basin sa baba.”
Pangilinan said the proposed master plan covers 18 to 19 major river basin systems nationwide.
“Sabi ni Secretary Babes, yung master plan na yan, there are about 18 or 19 river basin systems sa buong Pilipinas… ang estima para meron kang dam, meron kang diversion dam, meron kang irrigation, meron kang potable water, is about 30 billion per river basin system,” he said.
“So if there are 18 times 30 billion each over a five-year period… that’s about ₱540 billion.”
He added that flooding issues persist because short-term flood control projects lack coordination and long-term planning.
The senator also renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Water to centralize management of the country’s water resources and infrastructure.
“I filed actually a bill to create the Department of Water. President BBM actually, in his first SONA, already endorsed the passage of a Department of Water. So I think we have to go back and bring this back and address it,” Pangilinan said.
He urged Malacañang to certify the proposal as urgent, noting that it offers long-term solutions to the country’s recurring water and flood management challenges.