The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been directed to expedite the implementation of an updated master plan for the Bicol River Basin, a critical step in addressing the region’s persistent flooding issues.
During a Regional Development Council meeting in Pili, Camarines Sur, on Friday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of a robust, climate-resilient strategy to effectively manage the region’s water systems.
“I already instructed the Public Works to come up with a master plan which is appropriate for now. There is no other way to address the flooding problem except to manage the water flowing into the Bicol Region River Basin,” Marcos said, noting the inadequacy of the previous master plan which was not fully enforced.
The President also stressed that with climate change exacerbating weather patterns, the region’s flood management approach needs to evolve as the old master plan is no longer adequate to cope with the emerging challenges
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan provided an update, revealing that the agency had revised the Bicol River Basin Master Plan under the Philippine-Korea Project Facilitation Program. “We have completed the updating of the master plan to include also the basic parameters taking into account the climate change,” he told the President.
Additionally, Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymund “L-Ray” Villafuerte Jr. highlighted areas that require immediate attention, particularly shallow sections of the Bicol River, such as the Libmanan-Cabusao and Nabua-Bato-Baao Lake areas. Villafuerte suggested dredging as a short-term solution to mitigate flooding in these vulnerable zones prior to the full implementation of the master plan.
During a previous visit to Camarines Sur in November last year, Marcos directed local governments and various agencies to collaborate on the integrated and sustainable implementation of flood management plans for the river basin.
