President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the construction of additional water impounding systems and directed support for evacuees in Central Luzon, which has been hit hard by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.
During a briefing in Bulacan, Mr. Marcos emphasized the need to build more water-impounding systems in Central Luzon to mitigate flooding during the rainy season.
Citing his various aerial inspections of affected provinces, the Chief Executive shared his observation that the water almost has nowhere to go.
“The water level dropped a lot all at once. Our slope protection, flood control, and dikes just couldn’t handle it anymore, so we need to find another way to address this,” President Marcos said.
The Bulacan local government has reported P103.7 million in damages to agriculture and fisheries, and P895.6 million in infrastructure damages. He outlined plans to dredge Bulacan offshore and five priority rivers to mitigate flooding.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the agency would help ensure the mental and physical health of evacuees hit by the calamity.
The President also instructed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to identify and assist affected farmers and fisherfolk through its TUPAD Program.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma noted that some TUPAD beneficiaries are helping the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) repack food items and assisting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in clearing operations.
The President also ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide assistance in rehabilitating the agriculture sector of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan in the aftermath of the typhoon.
Mr. Marcos convened the local chief executives of the three provinces to assess the situation and check on their further needs while relief operations are ongoing in the region.
Bulacan reported at least P103 million in losses to its agri-fisheries sector, while Pampanga and Bataan incurred P378 million and P92.92 million, respectively.
The combined effects of Carina and the “habagat” flooded at least 220 barangays in Pampanga, affecting more than 127,000 families.
In Bulacan, Governor Daniel Fernando said 100 percent, or 24 cities and municipalities, of the province were affected by flooding, with Meycauayan and Malolos the hardest hit.
Eleven out of the 12 municipalities and city in Bataan were also struck by floods, affecting at least 208,371 families.
Reporting on the extent of the damage caused by the typhoon and “habagat,” Fernando said Bulacan is ready to work with the national government for a permanent solution to the flooding in the region.
Cabinet members were present in the briefing to assure that relief is ready and available to all affected families.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said more than 250,000 relief packs were either delivered or awaiting pick-up for the typhoon victims in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan.
The DSWD, he said, is also processing 247,000 additional requests in these provinces.
He said health workers have been deployed to all evacuation centers across the region.
Herbosa said the DOH would also deploy “psychological first aid” teams for fisherfolk and farmers whose sources of income were destroyed by the typhoon.
