President Marcos highlighted the necessity to develop new ways to mitigate the effects of floods amid changes in weather patterns.
During a visit to Rizal Province on Friday, he also called for better coordination between national and local government agencies to better address the continuing effects of Severe Tropical Storm Enteng.
“We just did a quick briefing on Enteng’s effects and the responses of various agencies,” Mr. Marcos said.
“We’re dealing with a large volume of water that overwhelmed our existing flood control systems, which are no longer sufficient,” he added, referring to the devastation in the province.
The President said the new flood-control measures would include building impounding projects upstream to prevent water from reaching low-lying areas.
He acknowledged the need for both immediate relief and long-term planning to adapt to changing weather patterns.
The chief executive directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to collaborate in delivering relief to affected areas.
Meanwhile, he ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hasten clearing operations.
The latest tally shows the storm affected approximately 8,036 families or 31,677 individuals in Rizal province.
Meanwhile, the DSWD has provided P11.62 million in aid and P134.40 million in standby funds and supplies for the broader Calabarzon region.
As of Friday, areas in Central Luzon remained flooded due to continued heavy rains caused by a confluence of weather disturbances.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said flood waters have yet to recede in 238 jurisdictions around the country.
Still inundated were portions of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, and the Bicol Region, prompting local government units to prolong the suspension of classes.
Meanwhile, Washington is offering material assistance to storm-hit communities in the Philippines.
In a phone conversation, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III conveyed to his local counterpart, Sec. Gilberto Teodoro, his government’s intention to provide much-needed help, even as the Philippines faces two more typhoons this month.
Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said this was the eighth time both defense officials had a phone conversation on recent security developments in the Indo-Pacific region, and explored ways to further enhance their countries’ alliance.
