OCD, DPWH ramp up efforts on flood mitigation
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are ramping up efforts on flood mitigation by planning flood control projects for major river basins in the country.
OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno met with technical experts and officials of the DPWH on Friday, March 15, at the OCD Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to ensure harmonized interventions with government agencies when dealing with the perennial problem on flooding.
“Concerned agencies and stakeholders should work on eradicating any disconnect and integration of all interventions is crucial for better planning, implementation, and monitoring,” Nepomuceno said.
The country is currently experiencing the adverse effects of El Niño phenomenon but the OCD recognized the need for advance planning to address flooding problems during the rainy season.
In the past months, a large part of Mindanao had been hit by massive flooding due to the effects of shearline, northeast monsoon (amihan) and low pressure area (LPA).
Malacanang said earlier this week that efforts to counter La Niña will be put in place including preparations to ensure adequate supply of food, water and energy.
There are several processes when it comes to creating a flood management program for areas susceptible to flooding, according to DPWH.
This includes the development of a master plan that outlines its roadmap and framework; the conduct of a feasibility study; and the development of a detailed engineering design for the construction of flood risk management projects along river basins.
Under Executive Order No. 510 series of 2006, a river basin control office (RBCO) was created under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) wherein the said office together with the DPWH shall rationalize various existing river basin projects.
In collaboration with DPWH and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (now NDRRMC), the RBCO is tasked to formulate a “national master plan for flood control by integrating the various existing river basin projects and developing additional plan components as needed.”
Nepomuceno reiterated the OCD’s strong support for the strengthening of river basin management and other measures to mitigate flood risk, especially in highly susceptible areas in the country.