The sun’s heat is still scorching and most people have not even enjoyed any vacation, yet, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has stepped up its operations to clear waterways and drainage systems to prevent widespread flooding.

In fact, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the cleaning, dredging and desilting was even extended to make sure that waterways will be ready to accommodate water once the rainy season starts.

“All these efforts are intended to ensure the protection of the people from flood,” said Dizon, adding that the move is part of the government’s “Oplan Kontra Baha”.

He said the extended operations in cleaning and dredging waterways will be in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley Region.

The City of Naga in Cebu; and, the cities of Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro are also in the list with the province of Maguindanao.

Dizon said the focus of the Oplan Kontra Baha” are urban areas, towns and cities or clusters of barangays and towns with the history of flooding over the years.

Aside from cleaning and desilting waterways, Dizon explained that there are four other anti-flood measures under the program: cleaning of drainage, demolition of structures, ensuring the operation of pumping stations and waste management.

But in most cases and in most areas, the focus is on cleaning and dredging the waterways and drainage system—similar to last year’s incident in San Juan wherein the DPWH was able to bring back the six-feet deep drainage from the two-feet deep drainage.

The most complicated among them are the demolition of illegal structures along the waterways.

Dizon said this is the part where coordination with local government units is necessary, along with the management of waste after the dredging and cleaning operations of waterways and clearing drainage of debris and garbage. 

Dizon said the Oplan Kntra Baha is a continuous program that will be done every year during dry season in preparation for the rainy season.