City of Malolos, Bulacan
August 7, 2023
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over a briefing on the most recent situation in the Province of Bulacan that suffered heavy flooding brought about by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoons ‘Egay’ and ‘Falcon’.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chaired by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando reported that 100% or 24 cities and municipalities were affected by the recent typhoons. Among the top five (5) affected localities which suffered between 1-6 feet level of flooding are Calumpit, Hagonoy, Guiguinto, Malolos and Balagtas.
The Governor also reported that a series of more than 700 cubic meters per second (cms) releases/discharges of water from Bustos Dam is considered one of the major factors that aggravated the flooding during the height of typhoons. Other factors based on the findings of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) included flowing of water back to irrigation canals due to blocking of bypass roads, back flooding along Pampanga River and high tides, among others.
With approximately six (6) casualties all over the Province, distress to survivors, and damage to infrastructure and agriculture, to which Bulacan is largely dependent on, the Governor called for long-term solutions for the decades-long flooding being felt in the entire Province and proposed for the creation of a flood management master plan, construction of elevated bypass roads and massive dredging of internal waterways by the local government units, amongst others.
The President commended the recommendations laid out by Governor Fernando, particularly the proposal for additional water reservoir in uplands and construction of water impounding areas in lowlands. While dredging may provide immediate and temporary solution to let out flood waters, he recognized the need for a large scale flood water program in Bulacan and conveyed that the Administration already has a master plan laid out in coordination with former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson.
On families displaced by the situation, wherein some have already returned to their homes, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already handed over 75,000 food packs, with 105,000 more ready for distribution. For those whose homes were completely destroyed, President Marcos Jr. assured that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and National Housing Authority (NHA) will send in teams to do assessment.
The Chief Executive called on the local government units to send in their most recent reports so that the national government can act accordingly to their pressing needs.
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