Senators press for concrete solutions to PH's perennial flooding
Senators on Tuesday, August 1 wanted the perennial flooding problems that affect the country annually eased or solved. This followed a manifestation on the Senate floor by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regarding the continued flooding in Bulacan province and neighboring areas.
Sen. Joel Villanueva (Senate PRIB Photo)
Villanueva said flooding in his province has been a problem the past decades. He said flooding continues for the past 40 years with tomorrow falling on his 40th birthday. "It's getting worst," he stressed after surveying the flooded Bulacan areas with their mayors in tow. He said appropriation for flood control projects for Bulacan this fiscal year is P1.7 billion while the nationwide DPWH expenditure is P183-billion. The floods are caused by many factors such as high tide, soil subsidence, rains from tropical cyclones (tropical depressions, storms and typhoons), the monsoons, and the untimely release of waters from Bulacan’s three major dams, according to Senate President Loren Legarda, an environmentalist. Legarda questioned whether those in charge of dams follow dam protocols relating to when waters from these dams should be released. “We need dams for water conservation and energy generation but dams should update their protocols and follow land use plans on where to release waters,” Legarda said. Legarda also said she wants to know if all towns and cities in Bulacan have already made their Local Climate Change Adaptation Plan (LCCAP) which include hazard, vulnerability, and risk reduction plan. LCCAP promotes measures that can adapt to climate change in accordance with the natural, economic, and social conditions in the area by provinces, cities, and municipalities. The manifestations of senators on the failure of flood control projects of the DPWH to ease the flooding problems were referred Senate President Juan Miguel. Zubiri to the Senate public works committee chaired by Senator Ramon "Bong’’ Revilla Jr. Revilla told his colleagues that his committee would start its committee hearings next week.