The civil works for the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP) are set to recommence by 2026, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) saying that the project will enhance the flood control Camarines Sur and nearby provinces.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the department remains optimistic about the project's reassessment even after 40 years of the suspension of the project as he noted that the collaboration with the Korean Exim Bank is vital for the program's advancement.
Bonoan said preparations are underway to finalize all detailed engineering designs for the flood control components by early next year.
“This project involves extensive undertakings across various areas, so we anticipate that full-scale construction will start around 2026,” he added, acknowledging the complexities involved.
Originally launched in the 1970s under the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the BRBDP sought to develop the Bicol Region but was shelved in 1986 due to political changes.
The decision to revive the project follows the recent damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, prompting President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to underscore its significance for flood mitigation and agricultural infrastructure.
Marcos emphasized that rainfall levels during Kristine surpassed those recorded during Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, long-term solutions to address flooding in the region.