More than 5,000 new flood mitigation projects are expected to be implemented across the country this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Tuesday, July 30, amid criticisms over the alleged failed flood control projects especially in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the projects are on top of the 5,521 flood control projects completed between July 2022 and May 2024, as reported by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“In the period from July 2022 to May 2024 alone, we have successfully finished over 5,500 flood control projects, with an additional 5,000 projects currently in progress,” Bonoan said in a televised press briefing in Malacanang.
Bonoan said the ongoing flood control efforts are crucial in light of recent heavy rains from super typhoon Carina and the monsoon season.
“The recent heavy rainfall has underscored the importance of our flood control projects. If not for these interventions, parts of Metro Manila could have seen worse flooding,” Bonoan said.
Addressing the underlying causes of urban flooding, Bonoan pointed out the challenges posed by overpopulation and stressed that current drainage systems are struggling to cope with the increasing population density.
"The population in Metro Manila has surpassed its carrying capacity. We have limited space," he explained, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts with local governments and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enhance both local and national drainage systems.
The DPWH is actively collaborating with these entities to ensure that local drainage systems align with national strategies, which aim to mitigate future flood risks effectively.
Thousands of families were forced to flee their homes at the height of the onslaught of typhoon "Carina" due to widespread flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.