The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administration called on Monday the prioritization and investment of implementing engineering, science-based and long term solutions to address flooding issues.
Following the recent heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding and the declaration of a state of calamity in various cities and provinces, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno reiterated that there is no shortcut to the solutions or quick fixes to address flood-related issues.
“There’s no shortcut to the needed solutions. These must be comprehensive and long-term,” he said.
“Comprehensive plans that are based on and inspired by science must cover the 18 major river basins of the archipelago and the communities surrounding them. Big dams for flood control, veers, levy systems, irrigation canals, catch basins, relocation of vulnerable communities, respect for no-build zones, landslide preventions, alarm systems and safety protocols, reforestation, and no-nonsense management of all these must be in place soon,” the Undersecretary explained.
He also stressed that the government must develop and implement such solutions with the help of other sectors and the general public.
“Alongside our ongoing discussions on engineering solutions for earthquake preparedness, we must also prioritize solutions aimed at mitigating floods across the country. This task requires us to enhance and sustain the efforts collectively,” he added.
