PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies to intensify flood control initiatives.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday that the president issued the directives as the rainy season brings more weather disturbances that carry heavy rains and widespread flooding.
“Our people should no longer have to endure floodwaters that linger for more than a year,” Dizon said, noting the enhancement of Oplan Kontra Baha (OKB), an initiative under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The intensified campaign focuses on keeping rivers, esteros, creeks, canals, and drainage systems free of silt, garbage, and other obstructions that slow the flow of rainwater and worsen flooding.
Large-scale desilting, dredging, declogging, and cleanup operations, Dizon said, are being done to restore drainage capacity and allow floodwaters to recede more quickly after heavy downpours.
Dizon added that OKB is underway across Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, and Naga City, as well as key areas in Visayas and Mindanao, including Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Maguindanao.
He stressed that clearing clogged waterways before storms strike is one of the most effective ways to reduce flood risks, protect infrastructure, and minimize damage to homes and businesses. Dizon noted that the initiative will lessen disruptions to motorists, commuters, students, workers, and commercial establishments during inclement weather.
