The country’s Flood Control Masterplan must be revised to keep up with the climate change that fuels more powerful tropical cyclones, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday.

Marcos said he has directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned government agencies to redesign the flood control masterplan to address the changes in weather patterns.

“Ang bagyo ngayon ay iba na. May mga flood control tayo pero dahil sa mas madaming tubig na dulot ng pag-ulan, hindi na nakakayanan (The storms now are different. We have flood controls but due to more water caused by rains, we can’t handle it anymore),” Marcos said in a speech delivered at the Abada College Gymnasium in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. Marcos was in Oriental Mindoro to lead the ceremonial distribution of presidential assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the recent onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) and Super Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey).

“Kaya inatasan ko na rin ang DWPH, ang DENR at iba pang ahensya na rebisahin ang flood control masterplan upang makasabay sa patuloy na paglakas ng mga bagyo (So, I have also instructed the DWPH, the DENR and other agencies to revise the flood control masterplan to keep up with the increasing strength of typhoons),” he added.

Marcos also directed the DILG and the DENR to encourage local government units (LGUs) to use the geohazard maps of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau in identifying landslide-prone and flood-prone areas.

He also ordered the DPWH, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the LGUs to ensure that roads, bridges and other infrastructures are “of high quality, safe and disaster resilient.”

Marcos, meanwhile, called for public cooperation to minimize the recurrent loss of lives when there are tropical cyclones.

“Hinihimok ko rin ang ating mga kababayan na sumunod sa mga babala ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan para sa inyong kaligtasan, lalo na po roon sa mga kinakailangang lumikas. Batid namin na mahirap maiwan ang inyong bahay, mga pag-aari, ngunit huwag na pong mag-atubili na lumikas kung ito ay sasalba sa inyong buhay (I also urge our countrymen to heed the warnings of your local government for your safety, especially for those who need to evacuate. We know it’s hard to leave your home, belongings, but don’t hesitate to evacuate if it will save your life),” he said.

Presidential assistance

A total of 4,546 select farmers and fisherfolk received about PHP46.14 million in financial assistance from the Office of the President, with Marcos handing over PHP10,000 each to them.

Of the 4,546 beneficiaries, 1,024 came from the municipality of Mansalay; 716 from Bongabong; 672 from Bulalacao; 415 came from Baco; 358 from Victoria; 257 from Naujan; 242 from Pinamalayan; 228 from Socorro; 195 from Roxas; 169 from Bansud; 115 from Puerto Galera; 51 from Pola; 45 from San Teodoro; 41 from Calapan City; and 18 from Gloria.

Marcos expressed hope that the financial aid extended to the beneficiaries would help them recover from the aftermath of Kristine and Leon.

“Sa kabila ng hirap at hamon na dulot ng bagyong Kristine at Leon, muling ipinakita ng ating mga kababayan ang diwa ng bayanihan at pagkakaisa. Ngunit, batid kong marami pa ang kailangan nating gawin upang makabangon muli sa mga [pagsubok] na ito (Despite the hardship and challenges caused by tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon, our countrymen once again showed the spirit of teamwork and unity. But I know we still have a lot to do to recover from these trials),” he said.

“Mula sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo, magbabahagi kami ng tulong pinansyal na nagkakahalagang sampung libong piso sa halos limanlibong benepisyaryo. Ito po ay para matulungan po kayo sa iba pang mga pangangailangan (From the Office of the President, we will distribute financial assistance worth PHP10,000 to nearly 5,000 beneficiaries. This is to help you with other needs),” Marcos added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian also joined Marcos in distributing the financial assistance. (PNA)