President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for a comprehensive review of the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP) to enhance its role in flood control within the region, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
In a press briefing at the NDRRMC Operations Center yesterday, Bonoan announced that the DPWH is preparing to re-evaluate the BRBDP.
“The Bicol River Basin Integrated Area Development Program at that time had many components such as the creation of farm-to-market roads, the irrigation component, community developments, and other sectors. There was also a flood control program that was incorporated at that time, but it’s actually for the enhancement of river flow,” Bonoan explained in Filipino.
“It did not anticipate heavy rainfall similar to what we are experiencing today,” he added.
He emphasized that President Marcos is now directing a renewed focus on the flood mitigation component of the BRBDP.
Bonoan also noted that the program’s feasibility study has been completed with assistance from South Korea, and civil works for the BRBDP could potentially resume 40 years after being halted in 1986. The Korean Exim Bank is set to provide financial support for this initiative.
“Let us revisit again and re-prioritize what needs to be done, and put it into the short-term program or into the medium-term program to address current needs,” Bonoan stated, adding that they are committed to expediting the implementation of President Marcos’ directive.
However, he acknowledged that this endeavor presents significant challenges, particularly in light of the climate change phenomenon affecting not only the Philippines but the entire world. (OCD)
