Cong. Brian Yamsuan. Courtesy: Brian Yamsuan/Facebook
Amid renewed calls for a comprehensive drainage master plan to address flooding in Metro Manila, several lawmakers quickly expressed their support for the proposed submission of localized flood control and mitigation plans that would specifically target solutions to the perennial problem in their localities.
Just recently, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ Dizon announced that local government units (LGUs) should submit their own version of the national government’s comprehensive drainage master plan that would be adapted to their specific needs and requirements.
In response, Parañaque City District II representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan enthused that he is open to allocating funds for the implementation of a Metro Manila drainage master plan, citing the urgency following recent flooding brought by heavy monsoon rains.
The congressman likewise disclosed that Congress is open to amending or adjusting the proposed funds for flood control projects for 2027, subject to necessity and deliberation. Under the proposed P7.2 trillion National Expenditure Program for 2027, P107 billion was allotted for flood control projects.
This appropriation comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. scrapped funding for locally funded flood control structures due to anomalies a year ago.
“We can amend and adjust based on the needs of our country and areas. We’ve seen what happened here in Metro Manila where we experienced heavy rainfall,” Yamsuan while noting that the proposed P7.2 trillion national budget for 2027 is not yet final.
In the meantime, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Atty. Romando ‘Don’ Artes expressed optimism that funding for the comprehensive drainage master plan would be included in the General Appropriations Act.
“We’ll take an active role to fund this drainage master plan in Metro Manila this year so we can implement it as soon as possible. The government, according to Artes, could initially limit the funding request to a feasibility study to determine the scale of the drainage system, elevation requirements and interconnectivity,” Artes shared.
He opined that such an approach would require less funding than preparing a complete plan down to the detailed engineering design.
In the Upper House, Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson urged the DPWH to ensure that the country’s flood control master plan would continue beyond the current leadership of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
“There should be continuity and the master plan should be multi-administration in scope. It must be designed to cross administrations. Minor modifications can be made over time to adapt to new situations, but the core of the basic plan must remain,” Lacson underscored.
Currently, the DPWH is crafting a more comprehensive flood control master plan by integrating local flood control plans covering the country’s major river basins and flood-prone areas.
Under the proposed 2027 spending plan, the agency was allotted P644 billion, up from its current P530.9 billion allocation, with P107.4 billion proposed for its flood control management program.
Beyond long-term infrastructure planning, the DPWH has mobilized district engineering offices nationwide for aggressive road maintenance and pothole patching operations following days of continuous rains that damaged major thoroughfares.
Maintenance teams have been deployed to apply cold-mix and hot-mix asphalt overlays on high-traffic corridors in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao that were hit hardest by recent downpours.
The agency’s field units are also clearing clogged road drains, side gutters and culverts to prevent water pooling that causes recurring pavement damage.