MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the need to build climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure during his visit to Legazpi City in Albay on Wednesday.
He directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other relevant agencies to prioritize the quality, safety, and durability of materials used in infrastructure projects so that these can withstand the impact of natural calamities.
“Alam nating palakas nang palakas ang mga bagyo at palaki nang palaki ang pinsalang iniiwan nito. Kaya naman, ipinapatupad na natin ang mga makabagong disenyo para sa ating mga kalsada, para sa ating mga tulay (We know that typhoons are getting stronger and the damage they leave behind is getting bigger and bigger. That’s why we are implementing modern designs for our roads and bridges),” Marcos said.
Considering the increasing frequency and intensity of typhoons, Marcos sought the adoption of new designs for roads and bridges.
Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s preparedness for calamities, stressing its commitment to expanding and enhancing all measures to intensify efforts against the potential impacts of climate change.
“Sa bawat ahensya ng pamahalaan, paigtingin ninyo lalo ang inyong pagsusumikap nang sa gayon ay higit nating mapaghandaan ang mga posibleng epekto ng pagbabago ng klima (To every government agency, step up your efforts so that we can better prepare for the possible effects of climate change),” Marcos said.
“Hindi tayo magpapatinag sa mga trahedyang ito; bagkus, palalawigin pa natin ang ating paghahanda at bibilisan ang ating pagkilos upang mapigilan ang pag-ulit ng ganitong epekto ng mga kalamidad (We will not be swayed by these tragedies; rather, we will extend our preparations and speed up our actions to prevent the recurrence of these effects of calamities).”
Marcos also reiterated his directive to the DPWH to revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program, as the detailed engineering design for the program is expected to begin in 2025.
He sought public cooperation to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Kaya’t sa pagkakataong ito, hinihikayat ko ang bawat ahensya ng pamahalaan at ang bawat Pilipino: Magtulungan tayo upang matiyak na walang maiiwan sa ating laban kontra sa mga hamong dulot ng pagbabago ng klima (So this time, I am encouraging every government agency and every Filipino: Let us work together to ensure that no one is left behind in our fight against the challenges caused by climate change),” he said. (PNA)