President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fast-track the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and conduct a study on how to address the flooding in Misamis Occidental.

Marcos said this following the massive flooding and landslides that claimed the lives of at least 60 people as of Jan. 11.

In a situation briefing in Ozamiz City on Wednesday, Marcos told the DPWH to determine what caused the floods in the province and work with concerned agencies to devise a solution.

The President suggested seeking Japan’s assistance, noting its vast experience and expertise in dealing with flooding.

Local officials of Misamis Occidental raised the idea of constructing an infrastructure that will divert the water running through a river to lessen the flooding in Clarin town.

According to local officials, weeks of heavy downpours resulted in damage to bridges and other infrastructure, including the flood control system constructed by the government.

They told the President that more than 16,000 families were affected by the flood in their province.

Currently, flood-affected families are sheltering in evacuation centers.

A total of 76 infrastructures, amounting to P132.14 million, were damaged, including two bridges in Oroquieta City.

A total of 5,594.75 hectares or P154.38 million worth of damage to agriculture has been recorded in Northern Mindanao.