Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Rep. Co's office)

The chairman of the powerful House Committee of Appropriations is batting for the construction of large-scale water impounding facilities across the Bicol Region to mitigate flooding and address water scarcity during the dry season. 

In a statement Tuesday, Oct. 29, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said he envisioned facilities similar to the six-storey-deep water impounding structure in the upscale Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City that captures rainwater. 

Highlighting water management as a long-term solution to the flood problem, Co said these facilities would also benefit irrigation and serve residential water needs. 

The Bicolano explained that these would also aid in managing floodwaters and contribute to enhancing food security by supporting increased rice production. 

“By improving irrigation, we can aim for two to three rice croppings per year, much like Japan,” Co said. 

“The stored water can be a valuable resource during summer, providing both irrigation and drinking water. This initiative supports both food security and climate resilience for the region,” he noted. 

Bicol was recently devastated by floods caused by typhoon "Kristine". 

Co also shared insights from last year’s congressional town hall meeting led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, where representatives unanimously agreed to redirect flood control projects toward agricultural uses. 

He explained that the “convergence” of flood control and irrigation seeks to maximize the use of fresh water for food production rather than allowing it to drain into the sea. 

In collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Co disclosed ongoing discussions to create tunnel systems through Bicol’s mountain ranges to expedite water diversion to the sea. 

“These tunnels would act like a flush system, allowing us to release excess floodwater during extreme weather events,” he explained. 

Response to Senator Villanueva

Addressing recent allegations about Bicol’s budget allocation, particularly Senator Joel Villanueva’s comments, Co clarified that the region’s P61-billion fund does not solely cover flood control projects. 

“It’s a comprehensive budget that includes roads, hospitals, government buildings, and schools across Bicol’s 17 districts, six provinces, and seven cities,” said the congressman.