MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Wednesday began investigating perennial flooding in Metro Manila and susceptible provinces, seeking to determine changes needed to improve the country’s flood programs.
Resolutions introduced by several senators, including the panel’s chairman, Senator Ramón “Bong” Revilla Jr., prompted the Senate public works committee to investigate the frequent deluge.
In his measure, Senate Resolution No. 52, Revilla said the investigation is aimed at creating a “comprehensive and cost-effective” solution to the flood problem that “would provide immediate relief to the public.”
“(D)despite the government’s master flood control management plan and the annual budget allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), flooding and its adverse effects continue to challenge many communities nationwide, especially during the rainy season,” the resolution reads.
“The DPWH and MMDA have a combined annual (allocation) of more than P125 billion for the flood control management program in the 2022 General Annual Allocations,” it adds.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued in early August, Revilla expressed his anger at the situation and reiterated that meaningless explanations will do no good or contribute to improving the country’s dilemma.
“Hindi na paliwanag ang kailangan ng taumbayan, ang kailangan natin ay aksiyon, solution at hindi anesthesia for hindi maramdaman ng publiko ang hirap sa pagbaha dahil lamang sa hindi matukoy ang problema,” he emphasized.
(People don’t need an explanation; we need action, solutions, and not anesthesia so that the public doesn’t feel the pain of flooding simply because the government can’t fix what’s causing it.)
The latest data from the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management showed that tropical cyclones Egay (international name: Doksuri), Falcon (international name: Khanun) and the southwest monsoon combined to cause 1,160 floods in various parts of the country. .
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JMS/abc
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